The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

"You have to be a little disappointed": Jedinak wants more from Socceroos

Roar Guru
26th March, 2015
1

Skipper Mile Jedinak says the Socceroos’ performance against Germany will take belief gained from winning the Asian Cup to a whole new level.

But the ambitious captain wants his players to be dirty they didn’t beat the world champions.

Despite missing a host of first-choice players and having less than two days in camp, Australia drew 2-2 with Joachim Loew’s star-studded side in Wednesday night’s friendly in Kaiserslautern.

The performance further illustrated Australia’s progress under Ange Postecoglou and offered encouraging early signs the Socceroos can make a mark in the 2018 World Cup.

“It will take (our belief) to the next level,” Jedinak said.

“I think everybody, if they didn’t believe, they will now.”

The hosts needed an 81st-minute equaliser from substitute Lukas Podolski in a match where Australia created most of the clear-cut chances.

Jedinak felt Australia should have won the game.

Advertisement

“I think an element of us has to see it that way,” he said.

“If we really are going to take it up to the next level you have to be a little disappointed that we didn’t hold on considering the amount of opportunities we had.

“Yeah they had some opportunities as well but it’s part of us growing as a group, even against the likes of Germany.”

Jedinak put Australia ahead 2-1 in the 50th minute with his eighth international goal, a cracking free kick.

The curling effort from an awkward angle outside the box followed a similar effort from the Crystal Palace skipper against Liverpool in the English Premier League late last year.

The 30-year-old appears to have assumed the role of Australia’s set-piece specialist from the retired Mark Bresciano.

“I’ve got a long way to go for that but just very grateful for having contributed,” Jedinak said.

Advertisement

“I just felt comfortable (before the free kick). I thought ‘you know what, I feel something good here’.”

Postecoglou’s squad will remain in the German town of Mainz before flying to Skopje ahead of Monday’s friendly with Macedonia.

Massimo Luongo (groin) and Trent Sainsbury (knee) are expected to return against the world’s 108th-ranked side while Postecoglou is likely to heavily rotate his squad, with Tarek Elrich and squad bolter Chris Ikonomidis pushing for debuts.

close