Mile to go for duo
THE Socceroos’ two most senior soldiers are ready to put their bodies on the line and drive Australia to a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Captain Mile Jedinak and record goalscorer Tim Cahill are both fit and determined to take the battle to Honduras in the second leg of Australia’s make or break World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium tomorrow.
Jedinak is ready to back up despite playing 90 minutes in Saturday’s goalless first leg almost as many minutes as he had been able to play in the previous five months – while Cahill said playing on his swollen ankle would be a “small sacrifice for such a big return”.
Ready for a capacity crowd, Cahill insisted the thought of defeat – and of international retirement - hadn’t crossed his mind, while Jedinak told of his relief at returning to the international fold after months of injury concerns.
Coach Ange Postecoglou has promised to make changes from the XI that started on Saturday, but Jedinak said that he felt better than he had dared hope after his first full game since June, followed by a flight
from Honduras to Sydney.
“We’ve got a few sessions left but considering the game and the travel schedule, I feel ok,” Jedinak said.
“In fact, I feel as good as I thought I could do, if not better. It’s just nice to be able to help out, to play the 90 minutes on the back of limited opportunities beforehand.
“But for me the most important thing was that as a group we were able to deliver a performance. To be able to contribute and be part of that was extra special for me.
“It was a testing environment, and testing conditions (in the first leg) - the circumstances are special because we know what’s at stake. Being absent the last few months has allowed me to refocus, to retune, I’ve missed it and it was nice to be back.”
Cahill, meanwhile, scorned the thought that defeat could mean the end for his recordbreaking international career.