Asian Cup 2015: skipper Mile Jedinak lauds Socceroos medical staff following win over China

SKIPPER Mile Jedinak paid tribute to the Socceroos’ medical staff who helped recover from an ankle injury to feature in the quarterfinal win over China.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 22: Mile Jedinak of Australia acknowledges the crowd after winning the 2015 Asian Cup match between China PR and the Australian Socceroos at Suncorp Stadium on January 22, 2015 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Captain Mile Jedinak paid tribute to the Socceroos’ medical staff having successfully completed Thursday’s quarter-final just 13 days after rolling his ankle.

Jedinak hailed the “disciplined” performance in the 2-0 Asian Cup quarter-final win over China and said it was one they were “crying out for”.

The midfielder overcame a rusty start, where he turned the ball over on several occasions, to remain a calming influence at Suncorp Stadium.

Jedinak revealed he was always confident of returning in time for the knockout phase after his ankle blew up the day after the opening game win over Kuwait.

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While visibly fatigued on Friday, Jedinak and the Socceroos arrived in Newcastle and said he would continue his militant rehab.

“I feel great, I think the win helps and it’s all about recovery now, doing the right things with travel and things like that,’’ Jedinak said.

Jedinak in action against China.

“I’ve been working around the clock to get this right and it’s a full credit to all the medical staff, pushing me, and me pushing them. We’ve been in each other’s hair the whole time.’’

Jedinak said he and the Socceroos tried to force the issue too much in the opening stages after China applied an effective high press.

But he was proud of the players’ recovery after coach Ange Postecoglou told them to keep chipping away at the tiring opponents at half-time, with Tim Cahill’s breakthrough coming three minutes after the restart.

“Overall the team performance was very, very disciplined and something we’ve been crying out for,’’ he said.

“First half maybe we were a little bit sluggish. They did really well sitting and blocking up the space.

“Maybe we tried to force it a little bit too much. We addressed that at half time, be a little bit patient and keep making them spend the energy.’’

Jedinak, who replaced Mark Milligan in midfield, said he would be better for the run.

“It is a little bit of that (rustiness). I was working my way into the game. If you try and force the issue, you’re going to make mistakes,’’ Jedinak said.

“What was more important was the way we reacted, even under a little bit of pressure in that first half.

“The way some of the boys defended and our organisation was really positive.

“We took that up a notch in the second half and some individual brilliance from Timmy (won it for us).’’

Originally published as Asian Cup 2015: skipper Mile Jedinak lauds Socceroos medical staff following win over China