World Cup 2018: Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak delivers rousing speech after shattering 2-1 loss to France in Kazan

WHEN full-time blew against France in Kazan, television cameras showed the Socceroos huddled, arm-in-arm in the middle of the pitch, with Mile Jedinak giving a rousing speech to his players. Here’s the inspiring team talk the captain delivered.

Mile Jedinak delivered an inspiring post-game speech to the Socceroos players.

IT was the inspiring speech that showed why Bert van Marwijk entrusted Mile Jedinak to lead the Socceroos into battle against France in Kazan.

When the referee blew full-time in Kazan, crestfallen Australia players were left wondering what might have been, quite literally millimetres away from earning a priceless point against the Group C heavyweights.

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Cruelled by a controversial VAR decision and Paul Pogba's late winner after Jedinak had equalised from the spot, the skipper brought his players into a huddle in the middle of Kazan Arena, with television cameras showing him delivering an animated rev-up to the team.

Midfielder Aaron Mooy refused to disclose what exactly was said: "Nah I can't tell you that. It's for the squad", he said in the mixed zone afterwards, but Mathew Leckie was more forthcoming.

"He (Jedinak) said we had a great performance today and we deserved more," Leckie revealed.

The Socceroos huddle in the middle of the pitch after their 2-1 loss.

"If we can keep it at that level and play that well, and put in so much effort and discipline, such strong mentality into the next two games, then there is a big chance for us," Jedinak said, arm-in-arm with his teammates.

Left-back Aziz Behich added: “We’re all in this together, there’s 23 of us, we’re a whole group and I can really say that we are a tight group, we are like brothers. We look after each other out there”.

With only five days until a crucial second game against Denmark in Samara, the Socceroos will have to heed Jedinak's words quickly if they want to conjure a result that will keep their hopes of getting out of the group alive.

Mile Jedinak delivered an inspiring post-game speech to the Socceroos players.

Originally published as World Cup 2018: Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak delivers rousing speech after shattering 2-1 loss to France in Kazan