Asian Cup 2015: Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak likely to miss South Korea to rest injured ankle

MILE Jedinak is desperate to lead the Socceroos in the Asian Cup showdown against South Korea, but he is unlikely to risk further injury to his ankle.

Captain Mile Jedinak. The Socceroos arrive in Brisbane for the Asian Cup. Pic Peter Wallis

MILE Jedinak is desperate to lead the Socceroos in the Asian Cup showdown against South Korea, but he is unlikely to risk further injury to his ankle with Australia already having secured a quarter-final berth.

Jedinak, who added to his individual honours on Thursday when he was named the PFA Footballer of the Year, missed the Socceroos’ 4-0 thrashing of Oman on Tuesday night after hurting his ankle in Australia’s first-up 4-1 win over Kuwait last Friday.

The victories have ensured Australia’s progress to the last eight and they only need a draw at Suncorp Stadium against the South Koreans to top Group A.

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Mile Jedinak looks set to rest his injured ankle against South Korea.

Those factors, plus the excellent form of Mark Milligan in Jedinak’s holding midfield role against Oman, suggests that even if there is the slightest of risks, the Socceroos skipper will not play this weekend.

Jedinak is not ready to rule himself out.

“It (the ankle) is coming along well. It’s one of those things we are monitoring day by day and we’re happy with how it’s all going,” the Crystal Palace captain said.

“Will that mean I’ll play on Saturday? I’d be silly to say if I could or couldn’t.

“It helps (that Australia have qualified) but does it determine (if) it will stop you from trying to play? I don’t think so.

“I’m trying my utmost to be ready. No one wants to miss a game of football.

“It’s great knowing that you’ve got a squad that is capable of doing things like the other night.

“It was a great performance and one that we can build on, whoever is selected.”

Jedinak, who also won the AFC international footballer of the year, was almost overawed by being acknowledged by his peers in winning the PFA award.

Socceroos goalkeeper Mat Ryan won the Harry Kewell Medal for the best under-23 player for a second time.

Mile Jedinakankle injury could see him wait til the quarter-finals to return.

“It’s one of the most humbling things that I’ve ever experienced,” Jedinak said while sitting alongside PFA president and 2011 winner of the award Matt McKay.

“Knowing guys in this room that I’ve played against and played with it makes it that even more special, sitting here next to the PFA president, a fellow teammate who’s also been a recipient of this award, I know just how much it means to people.

Socceroos keeper Mat Ryan has won the Harry Kewell award for the second year running.

It’s huge to be voted by your own countrymen, your own peers that ply the same trade as you.

“For me it’s a massive honour. For me it’s never about what awards I want to win, it’s just about staying consistent as you can, trying to do your utmost to bring success wherever it is, at club level (and) with the national team. It’s never been anything other than that.

“If you are acknowledged along the way fantastic, but taking all that aside, if we don’t have any success on the pitch with your club or the national team, you probably don’t get any accolades.”

Robbie Kruse, man of the match in the Socceroos’ 4-0 win over Oman, joins the Fox Football Podcast to reflect on the performance. Adam Peacock is joined in studio by Sasa Ognenovski and The Daily Telegraph’s Tom Smithies, and on the phone by Ned Zelic, to dissect the game, and the tournament thus far, from all angles.