Mile Jedinak gets the captain’s armband to lead the Socceroos at the World Cup in Brazil

ANGE Postecoglou has chosen Mile Jedinak to lead the Socceroos in Brazil, claiming the midfielder is among Australia’s best sportsmen.

ANGE Postecoglou has chosen Mile Jedinak to lead the Socceroos in Brazil, claiming the Crystal Palace skipper has been among Australia’s top five sportsmen in the past 12 months.

Jedinak, 29, replaces Australia’s longest serving captain Lucas Neill and becomes the fourth player to lead the Socceroos into a World Cup after defender Peter Wilson (1974) and Mark Viduka (2006).

Veterans Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano - who are both gearing up for their third World Cups - were named as Jedinak’s vice-captains.

Former Sydney United and Central Coast Mariners midfielder Jedinak has led Crystal Palace for two seasons and was immense in his English Premier League debut season.

He played every minute of Palace’s 38 games until limping off in the 59th minute of their final match 10 days ago with a groin strain.

Postecoglou made the announcement as at press conference in Gosford on Wednesday, where the new skipper explained what being awarded the armband meant to him

“I’m really looking forward to challenge ahead. It’s a huge honour,” Jedinak said.

“I tend to lead by example, it’s what I know and do. I’ll just keep doing that but if I need to be vocal, I will.

“We’re all in this together. We will work together to get the most out of each other.”

Mile Jedinak has returned ‘home’ to Gosford, where he played in the A-League.

Postecoglou wasn’t shy in his praise of the skipper - who has played 43 games for the national team since making his debut in 2008.

“Mile has been one of Australia’s top five sportsmen, in all sports, in the past year. He’s lead a team many people had written off in the Premier League, Postecoglou said.

“It’s significant to make this announcement in this city,” he added.

The coach was referring to Jedinak’s rapid rise from struggling in the A-League for the Mariners to skippering an EPL side.

Deputy Cahill - the Socceroos’ all time leading goalscorer - threw his support behind Jedinak and said he would relish his leadership role as the team aims to inflict some upsets in Brazil.

“Mile is a true leader. He is the best candidate and has our full support. We will be doing our best for our country,” Cahill told reporters.

“Preparation is the most important thing for us,” he said.

“We want to make a great impact on the competition. There’s still a long way to go.”

The 30-man squad travels to Sydney on Wednesday where preparations intensify.

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Originally published as Mile Jedinak gets the captain’s armband to lead the Socceroos at the World Cup in Brazil