Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has put his faith in Mile Jedinak to captain the team to Brazil. The talented player recently has been ranked the 33rd best player in the world on WhoScored.com’s rankings of the best players from the top five European leagues.
The 29-year-old midfielder is recovering from a groin injury following a stellar season captaining Crystal Palace to 11th place in the English Premier League.
His performance for the club pushed Postecoglou to consider him for the armband.
“It is a privileged position and an accolade he richly deserves after the incredible job he has done at Crystal Palace in the toughest club competition in world football,” Postecoglou said.
“Mile Jedinak embodies everything that is great about Australian football and as Australia as a nation.
“He has risen to the top of world football and has done it the hard way from humble beginnings.”
Until he came off with a groin strain in the 59th minute of the final match of the year, Jedinak had played every minute in Palace’s season.
It has been a meteoric rise for Jedinak who eight years ago was a part-time footballer hoping to get a chance in the A-League.
Former Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna invited the then New South Wales State League player to train with the Mariners squad at Gosford while he continued to work in his family’s business in Sydney.
Eventually he was given his shot in the A-League side and before long had disposed Mariners foundation captain Noel Spencer as the team’s midfield chief.
After two and a half seasons in the A-League, Jedinak signed with Turkish club Gençlerbirliği at the end of 2008 and moved to Crystal Palace in late 2011.
Postecoglou’s pick was down to his ability to lead from the front and was something Jedinak agreed with.
“I tend to lead by example, it’s what I know, it’s what I do,” Jedinak said.
“I always try and set an example, not just for inexperienced members but for everybody. I’ll just keep doing what I normally do.”
Jedinak is still recovering from his groin injury and might have to miss the last friendly match against South Africa on Monday.
Cahill and Breciano vice-captains
Experienced Socceroos campaigners Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano were also named as joint vice-captains.
There were no hard feelings from the duo, who say they are happy to be called up as vice-captains.
“To be in this third World Cup and even be sitting here at this table is an honour, a privilege,” Cahill said.
“And the one thing is not to compete about things that are not really necessary, you know.
“It’s all about being part of a group and this is probably part of a revolution for everyone.
“Mile has our backing and you can’t be disappointed with playing in a third World Cup.”
Source: ABC
