Bowyer shines in Leeds friendly

Lee Bowyer was the outstanding performer as Terry Venables got his Leeds United career off to a winning start with victory over Chile’s Colo Colo in Melbourne.

Bowyer, sent back to Elland Road last week after prospective purchasers Liverpool questioned his commitment, was outstanding in his 45 minute stint.

But it was home favourite Harry Kewell who gave the Colonial Stadium crowd what they had come to see.

Kewell produced the game’s most memorable moment with the only goal of an entertaining match.

Kewell beat two defenders on the right, accelerated into the box, and dummied past a third before thumping a left-foot shot into the roof of the net.

Colo Colo dominated the first half hour but Bowyer’s industry helped Leeds fight their way back into the match.

They hit the woodwork twice in the 35th minute through an Ian Harte free-kick and then a Kewell shot.

Following Kewell’s 39th minute goal, former Australian national coach Venables rang the changes at

half-time, taking off six players including Bowyer, Kewell and his fellow Aussie Mark Viduka.

Colo Colo lifted their performance markedly in the second half and nearly equalised in the 63rd minute when midfielder Francisco Huaiquitan’s chip beat keeper Paul Robinson but came back off the bar.

Leeds finish their Far East tour with a game against a Bangkok XI in Thailand on Tuesday.