Tim Cahill, Mile Jedinak to throw everything at Honduras with place at World Cup on the line
THE Socceroos’ two most senior soldiers - Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill - are ready to put their bodies on the line and drive Australia to a fourth consecutive World Cup on Wednesday.
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THE Socceroos’ two most senior soldiers are ready to put their bodies on the line and drive Australia to a fourth consecutive World Cup.
Captain Mile Jedinak and record goalscorer Tim Cahill are both fit and determined to take the battle to Honduras in the second leg of Australia’s make or break World Cup qualifier at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.
Jedinak is ready to back up despite playing 90 minutes in Saturday’s goalless first leg - almost as many minutes as he had been able to play in the previous five months - while Cahill said playing on his swollen ankle would be a “small sacrifice for such a big return”.
Ready for a showdown in front of a capacity crowd, Cahill insisted the thought of defeat - and of international retirement - hadn’t crossed his mind, while Jedinak told of his relief at returning to the international fold after months of injury concerns.
Coach Ange Postecoglou has promised to make changes from the XI that started on Saturday, but Jedinak told The Daily Telegraph that he felt better than he had dared hope after his first full game since June, followed by a lengthy flight from Honduras to Sydney.
“We’ve got a few sessions left but considering the game and the travel schedule, I feel OK,” Jedinak said. “In fact, I feel as good as I thought I could do, if not better.
“I’m really happy to be back on home soil, fine-tuning, getting ready, recovering and preparing for the big game.
“It’s just nice to be able to help out, to play the 90 minutes on the back of limited opportunities beforehand. But for me the most important thing was that as a group we were able to deliver a performance. To be able to contribute and be part of that was extra special for me.
“It was a testing environment, and testing conditions (in the first leg) - the circumstances are special because we know what’s at stake. Being absent the last few months has allowed me to refocus, to retune, I’ve missed it and it was nice to be back.”
Cahill meanwhile scorned the thought that defeat for Australia could mean the end for his record-breaking international career.
“(I’m) not thinking about it, definitely not thinking about it,” Cahill said.
“That’s the difference between me and anyone else, I don’t think about the negatives leading into something that’s so important for our country. What’s driving me is Wednesday night.
“I’m feeling really good. It was awesome to train in Honduras and get two sessions in so I feel great. I feel like I’m going to be involved and it’s all about Wednesday night.
“I’ve had the best recuperation possible. I’m always wary there’ll be a bit of swelling and bruising in the ankle but I know how big the game is and I can’t wait for the opportunity to be involved or contribute in any way.
“Once I’m available for selection I don’t think about my ankle or anything like that. I just think about the end result of contributing to getting to a fourth consecutive World Cup. After this game all of us have plenty of time to put our bodies back together, it’s a small sacrifice for such a big return.”