Doubt over Jedinak after captain misses Socceroos training
Australia believe captain Mile Jedinak will still play despite missing training ahead of the Socceroos’ World Cup qualifier with United Arab Emirates.
Mile Jedinak did not train with his Socceroos teammates overnight. Photo: Tony McDonough / AAP
Jedinak was the sole absentee from the team’s main hit-out in Abu Dhabi prior to Tuesday night’s (Wednesday morning Australian time) match.
The 32-year-old Socceroos mainstay instead received additional attention from a team physio at their hotel.
A team spokesman said the skipper would contend to play on Tuesday.
Speaking ahead of training, Australian coach Ange Postecoglou said he expected to have all 23 players at his disposal against the UAE.
“We’ve had a really good recovery. It worked out well spending the day in Perth to get over the game and any sort of fatigue,” he said.
“Flying overnight worked well for us as we found last year, the boys slept on the plane and yesterday was recovery day.
“Every report we got this morning from (the) medical, sports science people is they’re all feeling good.”
The training session was held in the shadow of the majestic Shiekh Zayed Grand Mosque, the country’s largest place of worship.
The Socceroos were on the track for around an hour on Sunday afternoon in 37 degree heat, where Nathan Burns and Mark Milligan in particular impressed.
Socceroos support staff were bemused by the presence of two men wearing United Arab Emirates shirts who were granted special access to watch the training session.
-AAP
