Socceroos can win the Asian Cup: Jedinak
Captain Mile Jedinak says the Socceroos have the right mix of players to win the Asian Cup.
A week out from the first major tournament hosted by Australia, Jedinak had his first training session with the Socceroos on Friday.
The Crystal Palace skipper was the last man into the camp after staying behind on English Premier League duty.
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The 30-year-old has been a virtual ever-present under coach Ange Postecoglou, becoming captain prior to the 2014 World Cup.
Agreeing it was crunch time for results under the new leadership, Jedinak said there was nothing stopping the Socceroos from claiming a maiden Asian Cup title.
“I think 100 per cent we’ve got the right blend (to win the Cup),” he said.
“We know what’s happened in the last year, in terms of the games and things like that, it’s all been built up towards this point.
“It’s great to be in amongst it and you can see the buzz around the camp, the group.
“The boys are looking to get out there and do the job.”
With more than half of the Socceroos squad having less than 15 caps, Jedinak wasn’t concerned that the younger players might not handle the pressure of such a big event before expectant home fans.
“I don’t see any reason why not,” he said.
“A lot of the boys are going to be excited that it’s going to be on home soil.
“We understand that’s going to come with added expectation.
“Are we capable of handling that? I believe so.”
When Postecoglou was appointed to take over the struggling Socceroos squad in October 2013, a chief question was whether he was looking more towards the World Cup or Asian Cup.
After drawing the group of death in Brazil, losing each game and several others during an intentionally difficult 2014 schedule, it seemed clear that the Asian Cup was his focus.
A week out from the continental tournament, that’s been confirmed by Jedinak, who said June’s World Cup was great preparation for the Cup on home soil.
“It was great having the World Cup so soon before this tournament,” he said.
“It got a lot of the squad to see what a tournament environment feels like.
“Everyone’s here to do the job for the national team, that doesn’t change from me to the most inexperienced player.”
AAP