Jedinak declares ‘job done’ as 2018 World Cup looms for Caltex Socceroos

Caltex Socceroos skipper and second half hero Mile Jedinak says the job at hand has been completed - and now it's onto a "big" 2018. 

Jedinak put on a captain's performance helping his nation power past Honduras in their second leg intercontinental World Cup playoff. 

“It’s hard to describe. It’s unreal. We always knew it’d be a difficult qualification campaign,” Jedinak, draped in the Australian flag, told Fox Sports after the 3-1 win in Sydney. 

“But this makes it very special.

“And to do it in front of our home fans in a do-or-die contest – we didn’t want it this way [in an  intercontinental playoff] but it’s happened and grateful now we’re going to another World Cup."

The Aston Villa midfielder said the result was the culmination of a long and arduous campaign with the goal of qualification in style set early. 

“It was our duty as a nation of football players to get this job done.

“We were set out on a task two and a half years ago and we stuck to our guns. And we got here in the end.

“Now it’s time to enjoy this moment and look forward to what will be a big 2018.”

Jedinak could’ve had a hat-trick but his second half free kick to start the goal scoring was adjudged to be an own goal to Henry Figueroa.

In the end Jedinak was credited with two goals though many felt like it was a hat-trick. 

“It wouldn’t have mattered who scored. I’m just happy to chip in. We got the job done and that’s all that matters," he said.