Mile Jedinak And Australia Side Are Moving On From French Frustration

Mile Jedinak And Australia Side Are Moving On From French Frustration
09:50, 18 Jun 2018

Australian captain Mile Jedinak cut a frustrated, disappointed but realistic figure today in Kazan.

Twenty-four hours ago the Aussies fell to France 2-1 in their opening match of the 2018 World Cup. The debate that has raged after the game has centred mainly on the controversial penalty, and the use of the VAR, that was given to France in the first half when Josh Risdon tripped Antoine Griezmann. That hotly contested decision meant the Socceroos finished without a point after a hugely admirable performance against Les Bleus. Many want to see VAR banished from the sport of football forever.

Jedinak fronted the media for the first time since the match at Kazan Arena. He was asked and probed about the use of VAR and the injustice of the result. But Jedinak, cool, calm and collected as usual, played the straightest of bats. The skipper is a realist and knows his side cannot dwell on the past or any possible unfairness where there are two more group matches to come.

“The result is still probably the hardest thing to take,” the midfielder said.

“It’s disappointing that we didn’t get anything from the game. But it will be out of the system, it has to be out of the system. We just have to move on from the VAR decision. It is what is, we have to move forward.

“We have to accept it, as harsh as it may be. The performance yesterday, we set out to impose ourselves on the game. Ultimately it wasn’t meant to be for us... We pushed France, we frustrated them. Maybe they underestimated us? I don’t know... I said to the players after the game, let it hurt but know we did a lot of good things in this game.

“Bert van Marwijk told us at halftime to maintain our focus and discipline... We have to look at the positives and try and build on them for the next two games.”

Jedinak’s message was there is little point in Australia getting angry and emotional about the France game. That is for others. The Socceroos have to move on, and quickly, focusing all their energies on Denmark. If they are to stay alive in this World Cup and get out of the group stage, then they will need all three points against the Danes. Denmark kicked off its World Cup with a 1-0 victory over Peru, riding their luck against an impressive Peruvian team.

With the display against the French the Socceroos showed they can defeat Denmark. If they turn up in Samara with the same organisation, discipline and spirt, coupled with a touch more attacking adventure, then they will clearly trouble Age Hareide’s outfit.

Australia’s secret weapon could be its tremendous travelling support. Yesterday Kazan Arena was basked in a sea of gold from all the Australian fans. They cleary out-numbered their French rivals, and perhaps had the backing of the local Russians as well. The vocal and singing Socceroo supporters had an distint impact on his  team, Jedinak admitted.

“It was a home game. Once you heard the anthem you knew. You felt it straight away. To see so many of your fans there was truly remarkable.”

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