PAINFUL, BUT I’M SO PROUD
And he hints he plans to play on
PROUD captain Mile Jedinak declared that he “cherished” leading this group of Socceroos and gave a strong hint that he would carry on into the Graham Arnold era.
Jedinak missed four months after groin surgery in June 2017, returning to score a hat-trick against Honduras before book-ending a supposedly rocky period with his midfield spot on the rocks with a superb World Cup captain’s knock.
The bearded enforcer, who turns 34 in August, will mull over his club and country future after Aston Villa’s financial woes were laid bare during the World Cup.
But with the Asian Cup looming in January, Jedinak indicated that he was keen to play on.
“All you think about is playing in tournaments like this. There’s a tournament not too far away. We have to wait and see [if he will continue], I’m enjoying my football and being with this group,’’ Jedinak said.
“We knew the circumstances coming into this period after Ange [Postecoglou] had left. Now we have to look forward to Graham’s reign and everybody keep building and pushing on this path.
“It’s disappointing to bow out and to be unable to get that breakthrough we felt we deserved. But that’s football, that’s life, and we have to use that disappointment to fuel us going forward.”
Jedinak was gutted with the Russia 2018 ending, after the France and Denmark games offered so much promise. The veteran scored both of Australia’s goals from the penalty spot, with his calmness and physicality underpinning Australia’s campaign, when it looked as though Massimo Luongo would get the nod instead.
Trent Sainsbury was the skipper in the two pre-World Cup games and even kept the captain’s armband when Jedinak came on, prompting suggestions that van Marwijk would persist with Luongo.
“Hard to describe really. A bit empty, disappointed. Still extremely proud of the group of boys, team effort throughout,’’ he said. “Not only this point, but the journey throughout, leading up to this.
“We set ourselves standards and goals and we’re pushing ourselves. We were pushed, not just these last few weeks, it’s been a journey from 3-4 years ago. We’ve been pushing ourselves every single day from that moment.
“I came here to enjoy myself. I had a bit of disappointment at club level, not getting promoted.
“For me, it was the best thing, I could concentrate on football and learning new things and doing a job for a group of guys that I cherish and have so much pride in [leading].”
Jedinak followed on from his exclusive letter to the Australian public in News Corp newspapers by praising Socceroos fans.
“We had a tremendous amount of support from back home and we need to acknowledge that. We heard all the messages, the boys are all grateful and it made it an incredible thing to be a part of,’’ Jedinak said.
“I’m extremely proud of everybody for being on this journey with me.”