Pim Verbeek’s side are through to the final stage of qualifying whatever the result against the Chinese at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

However, the Central Coast Mariners midfielder insists it is important to go out on a positive note with momentum intact.

Jedinak was on the bench for Australia’s 3-1 win over Qatar but with Verbeek having released some of the squad’s big hitters for a holiday, Jedinak is hoping that it opens up the chance for a start.

There is no such thing as a dead rubber in Jedinak’s eyes and for him, the China clash is as important as any other.

He told au.fourfourtwo.com: “To have sealed our spot with one game to go is a great relief, I’m sure we’d all have settled for being in that position at the start of the campaign, and we can look forward to the next challenge now.

“The boys knew what we had to do against Qatar. We stuck to the game plan and it was executed to a tee, full credit to everyone.”

Jedinak was full of praise for Brett Emerton, a player who is not known for being a prolific goalscorer like himself.

He said: “Brett was allowed to go forward in an attacking role. He’s a quality player and credit to him for putting away the two goals. It was great stuff. It was some dummy (from Harry Kewell) for the first one.”

Now the Sydney boy has his sights set on finishing the group with a flourish.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the week ahead. Hopefully I’ll get some game time and I’ll play whatever role the coach wants me to.

“Most definitely we want to come home and get the three points in front of our own fans.

"We may be through technically but as far as we’re concerned it’s still not job done, we want the points to finish and keep it going. You don’t want to go into the break with your last memory being a defeat.”

Another reason for Jedinak’s desperation to play against China is it would provide a chance for him to say a Sydney ‘thank you’ to his club coach.

He said: “It’s great to be repaying the faith he has shown in me.”

The Socceroos assemble on Thursday lunchtime to begin preparations for the China game.