Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Born: 03/08/1984, Sydney, Australia Position: Defensive Midfielder Current Club: Crystal Palace (ENG) World Cup Matches: 1 World Cup Goals: 0
The newly promoted Crystal Palace captain has good chances to be on the start lists for Ange Posteglou’s squad in Brazil as one of two defensive midfielders. Jedinak got his first international experience thanks to Postecoglou a decade ago at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Jedinak spent a season as a semi-pro in Sydney after his stints as a Young Socceroo and a season in Croatia, the nation of his parentage. Then he bounced back to Australia signing with A-League side Central Coast Mariners where he made an instant mark helping them to a championship.
Then it was two and a half seasons at Genclerbirligi in Turkey before his move to London where he made inspirational display and as skipper led the club back into the Premier League. He was named both Palace and Australian player of the year in 2013.
In 2008, came his international debut and in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa he played just once as the Socceroos were downed 4-0 by Germany in their first tie. Jedinak then played at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup and scored twice. He wore the captain’s armband for the first time during their friendly against Ecuador in March.