Melbourne Victory star Harry Kewell admits the standard of the A-League has taken him by surprise.
The former Leeds United, Liverpool and Galatasaray forward joined the Victory ahead of the recently-commenced 2011/12 A-League season and told The Age that he has been pleasantly taken aback by the quality of his home domestic competition.
"I believe that the games are tough, physical - they are not what everyone talked about, that it's a slow game, that it's an easier pace," he said.
"The last few games I have played in have been very physical, up and down, very open. It's been tough.
"I would say the standard is better than what I expected. It's a lot harder.''
Meanwhile, the Victory tonight played out a 0-0 draw with crosstown rivals Melbourne Heart in front of just under 40,000 fans at Etihad Stadium, continuing their scoreless beginning to the new campaign.
