Qantas Socceroo Mile Jedinak will headline Australia’s contribution to the English Championship when the country’s second-tier competition kicks off next week.
Qantas Socceroo Mile Jedinak will headline Australia-s contribution to the English Championship when the country-s second-tier competition kicks off on Friday 17 August.
A key player at Crystal Palace, Jedinak - called up to the squad to play Scotland in Wednesday's friendly - will line up against current Qantas Socceroo teammates Scott McDonald and Rhys Williams (Middlesbrough) and Neil Kilkenny (Bristol City) throughout the Championship-s demanding 46-game campaign.
Additionally, Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds United) and Shane Lowry (Millwall) - each of whom have been featured within the Qantas Socceroos set up in recent years - will feature for their respective clubs.
Now in his second year at London-based Palace, Jedinak will be fundamental to the Eagles- chances of promotion having cemented his spot in central midfield under coach Dougie Freedman.
“Obviously I-ve got a few mates in the opposition teams,” said Jedinak.
“Playing against Scotty (McDonald) and Rhys (Williams) is always an interesting one.
“We had a loss and a draw against them last year but it was a great experience, it-s always good to see them on the field and doing really well.
“Scotty had a great season and so did Rhys for that matter, just before they got injured - both of them - I think if they had stayed on the park for the whole season, they probably would have pushed for promotion.
“When I play against Killa (Neil Kilkenny) as well it-s the same thing, obviously we play in the same position so we-re around each other all the more.
“It-s just good to see everyone and then follow them throughout the year, not only when you play against them, just to see how they-re doing week in, week out is also good and, look, I wish the boys all the best and the greatest of success this year and the years to come.”
One former Championship contributor, goalkeeper Adam Federici, has made the step up to the English Premier League this season with newly promoted Reading.
The Sydney-born shot stopper was a standout in securing Reading-s passage to the top flight, where the 27-year-old will soon be meeting the challenges of Wayne Rooney and Sergio Aguero amongst others.
A daunting challenge indeed, but one Federici is up to, according to Jedinak.
“I loved playing against Fedders when I got the chance to last time, he pulled off a few great saves, a couple of headers from me, which I knew he was going to save, but it good to try and get close enough,” said Jedinak.
“I wish him all the best up there, I think he-s had a phenomenal season last year and full credit to the guy, he-s worked his backside off and it just showed, it-s paying off for him and I really wish him all the best and his team-mates all the best.”
The Qantas Socceroos are next in action on Wednesday, 15 August, when they take on Scotland in an international friendly at Edinburgh-s Easter Road Stadium. Kick off is at 8pm local time (Kick off is at 5am AEST, Thursday, 16 August).
Australia-s FIFA World Cup qualification journey resumes on Tuesday, 11 September, when the Qantas Socceroos meet the challenge of Jordan in Amman. Kick off is at 7pm local time (Kick off is at 2am AEST, Wednesday, 12 September).
The Qantas Socceroos are next in Australia in 2013, starting with a FIFA World Cup qualifier against Oman at Sydney-s Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 26 March. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.
The Qantas Socceroos return to Stadium Australia on Tuesday, 18 June to continue their FIFA World Cup qualification journey against Iraq. Kick off is at 7.30pm local time.
Tickets for each of the aforementioned matches at Stadium Australia are on sale now through Ticketek - www.ticketek.com.au or via phone, 132 849.