Socceroo skipper Mile Jedinak doesn’t want fans and players to forget Australia’s memorable Asian Cup success but he says the focus now is all on World Cup qualification.
The AFC qualifiers for Russia 2018 begin in June for the Socceroos, who have two friendly games in preparation.
The first is against Germany on Thursday morning (AEDT) and the second is against FYR Macedonia on Tuesday morning (AEDT).
Who should start for the Socceroos against Germany?
And while the afterglow of the Asian Cup success on January 31 is still fresh, the skipper is only looking ahead to the next challenge.
“It is something that was a great moment. You don’t completely discard it but there are World Cup qualifiers coming up but it’s not too hard to refocus,” he told FFA TV.
“That’ll be the driving force, building on the success of the Asian Cup and trying to take our performances as a group to the next level.
“We’ll be really hungry to do that, and that’s the motivation now.”
Jedinak is itching to get back out on the park after missing the last few weeks through suspension with his EPL club Crystal Palace.
And his message to his young team is to not be overwhelmed by their opponent.
“They [Germany] have been a bit up and down in their Euro qualification but I think we’ll see different team. They’ll be focussed and determined to prove a point,” added Jedinak.
*Germany will wear black armbands in honour of those who died in a plane crash in the French Alps overnight. There’ll also be a minute’s silence.
Socceroo Match Details
Germany v Australia
Fritz-Walter-Stadion, Kaiserslautern
Wednesday 25 March 2015
Kick-Off: 8:30pm (CET) (6:30am (AEDT), Thursday 26 March)
Tickets for the Germany v Socceroos match in Kaiserslautern are on sale now from www.dfb.de or https://tickets.dfb.de/online/index.php3?shopid=107&gotoperformance=1849
Match will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports.
