Jedinak set for Lebanon test

Mile Jedinak says the Qantas Socceroos are relishing their time in Lebanon in respect to gaining momentum ahead of next week’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan.

Mile Jedinak says the Qantas Socceroos are relishing their time in Lebanon in respect to gaining momentum ahead of next week-s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Jordan.

Australia are without a win from their four most recent starts and are collectively desperate to post a positive result in Thursday-s friendly before recommencing their FIFA World Cup qualification quest in Amman.

“Obviously it-s a good test, we-re going to be trying some things and it-s going to be a good hit out just before we play the crunch game against Jordan,” Jedinak said.

“We-re under no illusions that Jordan is the main game and the key game for us, one where three points are at stake.

“Having a hit out against Lebanon is going to be just as important and getting the understanding with each other and trying a few different things, not only in the game but also in training throughout the week.”

There was relief for Jedinak on the domestic front at the weekend, with his club Crystal Palace recording their breakthrough win of the English Championship season.

Jedinak has been wearing the captain-s armband for Palace since their season opener and was delighted to contribute 90 minutes to his club-s 2-1 home triumph over Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday.

A solid presence at Palace since joining the club from the Turkish Super League in 2011, Jedinak looks set for his most significant campaign yet at Selhurst Park.

“It-s a huge honour, obviously, captaining a club, it-s unfortunate the circumstances because the club captain (Paddy McCarthy) is injured at the moment. I don-t wish that upon anyone, hopefully we can get him back sooner rather than later,” Jedinak said.

“All the boys have been really great about it and if I can help as much as I can both on and off the field, I-ll do that.

“We were happy to get the win on the weekend, I think it eased everyone around the club, eased their thoughts.

“We didn-t get ahead of ourselves, me particularly, no real panic stations at the moment, I knew we would get that victory.”

The Qantas Socceroos face Lebanon in an international friendly at Saida Municipal Stadium, Saida, at 8.30pm local time (3.30am AEST, Friday, 7 September).

Following that, the Qantas Socceroos resume their FIFA World Cup qualification campaign against Jordan in Amman, at 7pm on Tuesday, 11 September (2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).

The Qantas Socceroos return to Australia in 2013, for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia at 7.30pm, Tuesday, 26 March, followed by Iraq, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 18 June.

Tickets for both matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek or via phone, 132 849.