Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Sydney: Australia captain Mile Jedinak paid tribute to the work done by head coach Ange Postecoglou in rejuvenating the Socceroos and taking the hosts to the final of the AFC Asian Cup Australia 2015.
Postecoglou took over as head coach following the dismissal of Holger Osieck in October 2013 and since then has overseen a rebuilding of the team that included the blooding of a new generation of Australian internationals.
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While the nation returned from the FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil with three defeats to their name against Chile, the Netherlands and Spain, the experience gained has paid huge dividends as the Socceroos have impressed on their run to the meeting with Korea Republic at Stadium Australia on Saturday.
One of the moves made by Postecoglou was to make Jedinak his captain in place of Lucas Neill and the Crystal Palace midfielder hailed the manner in which the former Brisbane Roar coach has reconfigured the team.
“It’s been a massive job, but the one thing I have learned from this man next to me is that he backs what he does 110 percent and whoever he chooses 110 per cent and that’s rain, hail or shine,” said Jedinak.
“You’re seeing the rewards and the fruit of that now with so many young players coming on and breaking out and the mentality of the group has been changed and transformed.
“It has taken a little bit of time, but he was a huge part in that and we as players are very grateful for what he has done and tomorrow (Saturday) – win or lose – he’s a huge part of this national team and what we've done so far. This man next to me has played a huge part in that.”
Stadium Australia will be at capacity for the game, which will see Jedinak appear in his second AFC Asian Cup final after featuring in the 1-0 loss against Japan in Doha four years ago, and the central midfielder is relishing the meeting with the two-time champions.
“It’s right up there, what else can you say? It’s a final, in my home city, it has to be number one,” he said of the final. “It’s the next one, so it’s right in front of us.
“Winning means everything to me, every time I play and it’s no different tomorrow (Saturday). I think having it in your home country is always going to make it that bit sweeter, but we have to get there first and that’s where the focus is.”
Much has been made during the AFC Asian Cup of football’s improved profile throughout Australia, and Jedinak has been impressed by the way the host nation has embraced the competition.
“We got to see throughout the tournament not only when we played and our direct opponents, but also everyone else,” said the former Central Coast Mariners midfielder.
“You got to see how many people were filling the grounds and we got a real sense of it when we went to Newcastle and we saw how many people were outside the hotel waiting to get a glimpse of the teams staying there.
“You get a real sense of it walking around town and around the place. It’s in a good place at the moment.”
Photo: WSG