PIM Verbeek should have no worries about thrusting Mile Jedinak into battle against China with the midfielder having far more in his locker than he is given credit for.
To see the Socceroos training in China...
That’s the view of Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna who feels the player’s elevation to the green and gold is ‘a victory for all those guys that don’t have it all land in their lap’.
Jedinak earned his first cap in the forgettable 0-0 draw in Singapore and then found himself on the plane to Kunming for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against China.
Whether he gets a slot in the matchday 16 remains to be seen but McKinna has no doubt the Mariners’ player-of-the-year can step up to the plate.
McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Mile’s certainly come a long way since he first came to our attention.
“I received a phone call about him a couple of years ago, invited him to train with us and I’ll never forget his first match, or non-match as it was.
"We travelled away to Toowoomba to play Queensland Roar and it was the first time he came with us. He got sick the night before the game and it floored him.
"He couldn’t make the match and we had to pick him up from the hotel on the way back.
“Thankfully he recovered and went from strength to strength with us. He won our player of the year award by miles and I was delighted to see him out there against Singapore on Saturday.
“He didn’t put a foot wrong for me and if Pim calls on him for China then he would definitely step up.
“People sometimes look at his strength and just label him a ball-winner. That’s unfair because he is a very good passer of the ball and also possesses a real goal threat. He unleashed a couple of real bombs in games last season.
“As well as his ability, there’s work rate and a great attitude. That’s fantastic for a coach.”
Jedinak’s road to representing Australia has not been easy. His early days at the Mariners, while still on trial, saw him working a day job as an office manager and then driving up to Gosford in the evening for training.
McKinna said: “It’s not been a case of someone who has had everything there for him from the very start. It’s a victory for all those guys that don’t have it all land in their lap.
“I’m glad we’ve got him on a new two-year contract and I think he’s got a great future in the game.”
To see the Socceroos training in China...
That’s the view of Central Coast Mariners coach Lawrie McKinna who feels the player’s elevation to the green and gold is ‘a victory for all those guys that don’t have it all land in their lap’.
Jedinak earned his first cap in the forgettable 0-0 draw in Singapore and then found himself on the plane to Kunming for tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier against China.
Whether he gets a slot in the matchday 16 remains to be seen but McKinna has no doubt the Mariners’ player-of-the-year can step up to the plate.
McKinna told au.fourfourtwo.com: “Mile’s certainly come a long way since he first came to our attention.
“I received a phone call about him a couple of years ago, invited him to train with us and I’ll never forget his first match, or non-match as it was.
"We travelled away to Toowoomba to play Queensland Roar and it was the first time he came with us. He got sick the night before the game and it floored him.
"He couldn’t make the match and we had to pick him up from the hotel on the way back.
“Thankfully he recovered and went from strength to strength with us. He won our player of the year award by miles and I was delighted to see him out there against Singapore on Saturday.
“He didn’t put a foot wrong for me and if Pim calls on him for China then he would definitely step up.
“People sometimes look at his strength and just label him a ball-winner. That’s unfair because he is a very good passer of the ball and also possesses a real goal threat. He unleashed a couple of real bombs in games last season.
“As well as his ability, there’s work rate and a great attitude. That’s fantastic for a coach.”
Jedinak’s road to representing Australia has not been easy. His early days at the Mariners, while still on trial, saw him working a day job as an office manager and then driving up to Gosford in the evening for training.
McKinna said: “It’s not been a case of someone who has had everything there for him from the very start. It’s a victory for all those guys that don’t have it all land in their lap.
“I’m glad we’ve got him on a new two-year contract and I think he’s got a great future in the game.”
To see the Socceroos training in China...
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