DYNAMIC DUO SET TO GO EXTRA MILE
Socceroo stars right to put best foot forward
THE Socceroos’ two most senior soldiers are ready d to put their bodies on the line and drive Australia to a fourth consecutive World Cup. Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak and record goalscorer Tim Cahill have both declared themselves ready to take the battle to Honduras in the second leg of Australia’s make- or- break World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night.
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 do- or- die 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 past five months – while Cahill said playing on his swollen ankle would be a “small sacrifice for such a big return”.
Ready for a showdown in front of 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 he felt better than he had hoped after his first full game since June, followed by a long 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.
“I’m really happy to be back on home soil, finetuning, getting ready, recovering and preparing for the big game.
“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 scorned the thought that defeat for Australia could mean the end for his recordbreaking international career.
“( I’m) not thinking about it,” he said. “That’s the difference between me and anyone else – I don’t think about the negatives leading into something that’s so important for our country.
“I’m feeling really good. It was awesome to train in Honduras and get two sessions in so I feel great. I feel like I’m going to be involved and it’s all about Wednesday night.
“I’ve had the best recuperation possible. I’m always wary there’ll be a bit of swelling and bruising in the ankle but I know how big the game is and I can’t wait for the opportunity.
“Once I’m available for selection I don’t think about my ankle. I just think about the end result of contributing to getting to a fourth consecutive World Cup.”
AUSTRALIA v HONDURAS
ANZ Stadium, tomorrow 7pm Live on Fox Sports