Socceroo captain Mile Jedinak says he is not thinking about the World Cup just yet, as the Australian team has settled well in Adelaide for their upcoming World Cup Qualifier against Tajikistan.
Despite the fact the Socceroos look in good nick, Jedinak was not looking too far ahead about captaining the side in the 2018 World Cup.
“It’s hard to get too caught up in it, it’s a while away. There’s a lot of football to be played, at the moment just looking ahead to the next couple of games and not too far down the track,” Jedinak said.
“Up until this point it’s been fantastic, it’s been right up there every time I come into camp and getting to lead the boys out, it’s something that means an awful lot, it gets even more special every time I go out.
“Having such a long break in between camps, as much as it’s hard for the boss. I think the boys are really happy to be back, after that November camp.
“We were all thinking it’s a long time, but we can’t wait to get back in and now we’re here we’ve got the job to do first of all tomorrow night, I have no doubt with the session today and into tomorrow night we’ll be up to the task.”
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With the number of inexperience players at International level in the squad, Jedinak says the boys are 100% up for the challenges ahead regardless.
“No nerves as such we try to make the boys feel as comfortable as possible, we spend a lot of time together in camp, I think once they see what it’s like, they can feel at home in the sense that no-one’s going to get on you too much,” he said.
“We act in a respectable manner, we like to have a joke and a laugh at times, when it comes down to business in training, we also have to do that and do it well.
“From yesterday’s session some of the new guys have trained and seen what the intensity is like and I think everyone going forward in the camp will like that and thrive on it and will try replicate it.”
Jedinak was also looking forward to the return of Mathew Leckie who missed out on the last World Cup Qualifying camp in November due to illness.
Leckie, however, is back to do some damage and has been doing well at German club FC Ingolstadt.
“I haven’t seen Lecks in a while, so it would be good to get him if he gets the opportunity tomorrow night,” Jedinak said.
“He’s plays a big part in what we do in our team, as do so many other players. Lecks with more experience under his belt, I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing alongside him.”
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