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Australia salutes Mile Jedinak — and his beard — after matchwinning performance against Honduras

FEAR the beard was the pre-match warning to Honduras and it was sound advice. Jedinak fever has exploded after the Socceroos secured a World Cup berth.

less than 2 min read
November 16, 2017 - 8:48AM
Mile Jedinak of Australia celebrates.
Mile Jedinak of Australia celebrates.

FORMER Prime Minister Tony Abbott once called him “Mike” but Australia is tonight in awe of its World Cup hero.

Socceroos captain Mile Jedinak stepped up when he was needed most to send Australia to a fourth straight World Cup.

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He put Australia ahead with a free kick early in the second half, but fans were still nervous with a 1-1 result enough to condemn Australia to World Cup agony.

But his ice cool penalty soon after sent the crowd — and the nation — into raptures.

Mile Jedinak lines up his first goal in the World Cup playoff.
Mile Jedinak lines up his first goal in the World Cup playoff.

When he made no mistake again from the penalty spot after Robbie Kruse was brought down unceremoniously in the penalty area, it was the icing on the cake.

There was confusion over whether the first score, which deflected off a Honduras defender, was an own goal, but that didn’t deter jubilant Australian fans from celebrating with a string of memes, Jedi references and beard appreciation on social media.

Mile Jedinak celebrates his second penalty against Honduras.
Mile Jedinak celebrates his second penalty against Honduras.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/australia-salutes-mile-jedinak-and-his-beard-after-matchwinning-performance-against-honduras/news-story/7a238f6f88a17e3abd6ac73653fe91ac