"I'm ecstatic, I'm thrilled to bits and looking forward to the new challenge, " said Kewell.
Galatasaray forward Harry Kewell has been included despite suffering with a groin injury this season.
BBC: World Cup 2010: Australia omit Middlesbrough's Williams
It means the squad has only three strikers in Josh Kennedy, Harry Kewell and Nikita Rukavytsya.
BBC: World Cup 2010: Australia omit Middlesbrough's Williams
Alex Brosque with a double, Harry Kewell and Brett Emerton scored for the Socceroos who top Group D.
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Penalties were looming though when 32-year-old Kewell cropped up to score the vital goal to send Holgier Osieck's men through.
Kewell turned down a contract offer from Liverpool in May and entered the current transfer window as a free agent.
Kewell's Galatasaray team-mate Lucas Neill, Everton midfielder Tim Cahill, and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer were also included in Verbeek's squad.
BBC: World Cup 2010: Australia omit Middlesbrough's Williams
Harry Kewell hit the bar for the home side before Howard's low shot into the bottom corner won it for Barnsley.
It took just five minutes for Australia to break the deadlock as Harry Kewell fired a low shot into the bottom corner.
When Kewell was at Leeds United he played against Galatasaray in the semifinal of the 2000 UEFA Cup but was sent off.
Kewell is joined by Elland Road team-mates Michael Bridges and Lee Bowyer.
Chances were few and far between in the first half of normal time, although McKay and Kewell came close just before the break.
Cisse hit the post after being played through by Florent Sinama-Pongelle, while Neil Lennon could have been dismissed for a lunge on Kewell.
With 20 minutes left Kewell spurned his chance when one-on-one with Kawashima and as the game drifted towards extra-time, Japan started to take control.
Speculation had been rife about the identity of Leeds' potential new signing, who is needed to replace the suspended Harry Kewell at the weekend.
Galatasaray's Harry Kewell was picked despite his long-term groin problem, and is one of only three strikers alongside Josh Kennedy and Ukraine-born Nikita Rukavytsya.
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Mark Hughes, who had been impressive throughout, was replaced by Danny Cadamarteri but Leeds came closest to scoring a second through the talented Kewell.
Kewell, meanwhile, may not find he has a choice in the matter, with the Sunday People revealing he was on the verge of being sold.
In the closing minutes Kuyt missed a glorious chance after good work by Harry Kewell and the Dutchman then went close with an angled shot.
But Liverpool were still looking like the only winners and the visitors were defending desperately when Kewell saw his rasping shot hit the bar late on.
The Sunday Express takes it a step further, insisting that Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Harry Kewell and Paul Robinson are all on the verge of quitting.
After such a blistering first-half performance, Leeds continued after the interval in exactly the same fashion, with Kewell breaking down the left and surging into the Spartak area.
Former Liverpool star Harry Kewell, a team-mate of Neill's in the Australia team, and ex-Aston Villa striker Milan Baros are already playing at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium.
The second half started in similarly frenetic style, with Totti having a penalty appeal turned down and Kewell shooting narrowly wide at the other end within the first five minutes.
Brett Holman, who scored the winning goal against New Zealand, can also play as a striker which may be key with Kewell and Kennedy suffering from groin and back injuries.
BBC: World Cup 2010: Australia omit Middlesbrough's Williams
Leeds United's Harry Kewell is bidding to become only the second player to win the PFA player of the year and young player of the year in the same season.
Australia forward Harry Kewell opened the scoring in the 32nd minute, then Congo striker Shabani Nonda netted three minutes before halftime and then two minutes after, both times set up by Abdulkader Keita.
Kewell spent five seasons with Liverpool and, although injuries kept him out of action for long periods, he gained a Champions League winners medal in the memorable fightback victory over AC Milan in 2005.
The clash happened during a 15-minute purple patch for Kewell when the Australian international outfoxed the Russian defence three times, clattering in shots from acute angles that tested both Filimonov and his replacement, Andrei Smetanin.
Kewell has been named on the six-man short list for both awards, a recognition of a startling season for the young Australian, who has spearheaded Leeds' brilliant Premiership campaign and their run to the UEFA Cup semi-finals.
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