Asian Cup: After 8 losses from last 12 games, Mile Jedinak says time for results is now

AFTER eight losses in 12 games, Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak says the time for results is now, insisting Brazil 2014 has them primed for the Asian Cup.

Socceroos training at Olympic Park.Mile Jedinak walked laps Picture:Wayne Ludbey

AFTER eight losses in 12 games, Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak declared the time for results was now.

But the midfielder said Brazil 2014 was the perfect preparation for the Asian Cup, which kicks off on Friday when Australia hosts Kuwait at AAMI Park.

The Socceroos’ record makes for even grimmer reading inclusive of Holger Osieck’s final months, with 12 losses and just three wins from the last 19 games.

Jedinak said his team has handled rugged terrain since Ange Postecoglou’s arrival, including numerous away games and regeneration, passing the test and laying solid foundations for the Asian Cup.

Mile Jedinak walking laps at Socceroos training.

“We’ve been to some tough places in the last six months to a year and we’ve handled ourselves really well,’’ Jedinak said.

“We may not have got results and now is crunch time for results, we know that.

“It’s tournament mode, every game’s got to be treated like a Cup final.

“It was great having the World Cup so soon before this tournament, six months out. It got a lot of the squad to see what a tournament environment feels like and what we could expect going forward.

“It’s the 23 that’s going to hopefully do the job. It’s here and we’re ready to go.

“I think 100 per cent we’ve got the right blend (to win the Cup).

“We know what’s happened in the last year and it’s all been built up towards this point.’’

Jedinak played just five days ago, in Crystal Palace’s 0-0 draw at QPR, before departing for the Melbourne training camp.

Hence the Socceroos medical staff has wrapped him in cotton wool since he touched down on Tuesday.

With defender Trent Sainsbury joining in with the squad for the first time, Jedinak was only player who didn’t partake in Friday’s hour-long session, merely walking laps at Olympic Park in Melbourne in his runners.

But he said he was on the verge of joining in full-scale training.

“It’ll be in the next couple of days, it’s been a welcome return but I’m here to do a job and the sooner I can get out on the pitch the more comfortable I’ll feel,’’ he said.

“With the load recently, it’s just being careful and easing into it and not rushing.

“Because I know that I’ll get the work done and get myself right for what’s ahead.

“Only my second or third day, still a bit jet-lagged, but there’s a buzz among the group.’’

Originally published as Asian Cup: After 8 losses from last 12 games, Mile Jedinak says time for results is now