Mile Jedinak hat trick fires Socceroos past Honduras, into World Cup Finals

Empowering Australia legend Mile Jedinak re-wrote another page in his illustrious career book. The Socceroos skipper scored his 16th, 17th, and 18th career goals to send Australia through on aggregate to the World Cup Finals.

Following a 0-0 scoreline in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Australia returned to Sydney needing a win to advance to World Cup 2018.

They got it; but it was Aston Villa midfielder and Socceroos skipper Mile Jedinak who willed them into winning. A feisty first half saw two key Australia players receive bookings. Defender Matthew Jurman and midfield cog Aaron Mooy (arguably Australia’s best player) went into the referee’s pocket before half time with the score still tied at zero apiece.

It was not until this thunderous deflection, in the 53rd-minute, did Australia pull ahead.

But Jedinak was not done, however. He coolly slotted home a pair of penalties to give Australia a defining 3-0 lead just before injury time. Alberth Elis put Honduras on the score sheet, but it was nothing more than consolation. Ange Postecoglu’s side became the 31st nation to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and fifth from Asia’s Confederation, joining Saudi Arabia, Iran, South Korea and Japan.

The final nation was decided late Wednesday evening by the victor of Peru and New Zealand in Lima’s second-leg.

Mile Jedinak returns to Aston Villa with a full two matches under his belt. He went into hostile Honduras only appearing for Villa sparingly from the bench following a re-aggravation of his groin injury.

The Jedinak/Glenn Whelan fight for starter in the number six hole will be one of Villa’s main story lines over the middle third of the season. Though, John Terry’s broken foot adds an interesting (yet potentially devastating) caveat. Should Christopher Samba struggle alongside James Chester, manager Steve Bruce could utilize Mile Jedinak in central defense.