Caltex Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak will create history on Sunday morning (AEST) when he becomes the first Aussie to captain a side in England’s FA Cup final.
Jedinak will lead out Crystal Palace against Manchester United at Wembley as the Eagles chase their first-ever win in the prestigious cup competition.
England squad for Euro 2016, Caltex Socceroos clash
While Jedinak will become the fifth Australian to play in the final, he’s the first to do it as captain meaning he will be the one presented with the trophy should Palace topple United.
Victory boss Kevin Muscat almost achieved the feat in 2004 as Captain of Millwall but was forced to miss the final against Manchester United due to a knee ligament injury.
A young Tim Cahill started up front for The Lions on that day as a brace from Ruud Van Nistelrooy saw United romp to a 3-0 win.
The Red Devils will start warm favourites to win the final and got the better of the two meetings between the two sides in the EPL this season.
The first clash ended 0-0 at Selhurst Park in October, while United prevailed 2-0 at Old Trafford back in April.
But Palace has often saved their best for the Cup competition this season and in Jedinak have a player who tends to save his best for the big games.
And the 31-year-old is no stranger to leading his side to history, having done so with the Socceroos just 16 months ago when Ange Postecoglou’s troops won the AFC Asian Cup for the first time.
