Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak sits down with Daniel Garb to chat Asian Cup, Crystal Palace

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak sits down with Daniel Garb to reflect on Australia’s incredible Asian Cup triumph.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 31: Mile Jedinak of Australia and his team celebrate as he lifts the trophy after victory during the 2015 Asian Cup final match between Korea Republic and the Australian Socceroos at ANZ Stadium on January 31, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

THE Asian Cup might have been won a month ago, but recalling that famous night in Sydney still gives Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak ‘tingles’.

Sitting down with Fox Sports European correspondent Daniel Garb for an exclusive chat, the inspirational captain says not in his wildest dreams could he have imagined lifting the Asian Cup trophy on home soil.

Also on the agenda in the wide-ranging conversation is Ange’s extra-time team talk, the reaction of his Crystal Palace teammates and our youngsters’ hopes of cracking it in England.

Watch the full interview with Mile Jedinak in the video at the top of this page.

Mile Jedinak of Australia and his team celebrate as he lifts the Asian Cup trophy.

MILE ON WINNING THE ASIAN CUP

It’s pretty special. It’s a moment that I don’t think I ever would have dreamt of ever happening to me... It’s giving me tingles now.

It was a very emotional experience, both physically and mentally challenging. I’m just so happy, so proud. Being in Sydney, my hometown, and seeing so many of my family at that game made it extra special. It’s right up there. I’m not going to ever forget that night.

MILE ON HIS REACTION AS KOREA TOOK FINAL TO EXTRA TIME

When the goal went in I was like, ‘Damn this can’t be happening’. Ange said something that stood out to me. He said: ‘It’s only going to make the story sweeter, more memorable. That sat with me quite well.’

MILE ON HIS PALACE TEAMMATES’ CONGRATULATIONS

They were quick to give me the congratulations, by texts when I was still in Australia. Then they started asking me when I would be back and it was hard to tell them it wouldn’t be straight away.

Mile Jedinak emotionally reflects on the Socceroos’ Asian Cup triumph.

MILE ON ANGE’S WORK BETWEEN WORLD CUP AND ASIAN CUP

The way we went forward (after the World Cup) if you ask me, it wasn’t right or wrong, it was the perfect way. Because the boss had a plan; he had a plan of players he wanted to use ... And you could see young players come out of their shell. The goal during that period was always the Asian Cup. Results in friendlies are irrelevant to a certain degree.

MILE ON YOUNG AUSSIES MAKING IT IN THE EPL

It’s about that consistency ... If given the opportunity, why not? Absolutely no doubt about it. ... If you can do it on a stage like that (Asian Cup) and do so well, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t aspire to be doing that. For as long as boys continue to dream big, and take their focus from national team to club level, the sky is the limit. There are no boundaries holding anybody back.

Originally published as Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak sits down with Daniel Garb to chat Asian Cup, Crystal Palace