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Jedinak's Wembley dream

Jedinak's Wembley dream

01/24/2012 03:45:22 AM

Crystal Palace's Australia international Mile Jedinak says the prospect of playing at the famous Wembley Stadium in the League Cup final is something he can barely imagine.

The 27-year-old midfielder is looming as a key figure for the Eagles who go to Cardiff City on Tuesday in the League Cup semi-final second leg with the winner to face either Manchester City or Liverpool in the decider at Wembley on February 26.

Jedinak, who provided the assist for Anthony Gardner's winner in the 1-0 first-leg win, told Goal.com that the Eagles would go out looking to win despite a draw being enough to progress to the final.

"From experience I think you should always go out to win," Jedinak said. "Any football game you want to go out and win, we've got that slender lead, but you can't rest on that.

"Cardiff are a strong team and we know they've got a lot of attacking threats and we're going to have to be on our game to get over the line."

And Jedinak knows if they do get over the line, an opportunity to play at Wembley beckons for the Sydney native.

"I've never played there, I have actually been there but never played there," he said.

"All I can say is what a fantastic stadium. I didn't go there for a football game but I can only imagine what it'd be like in the atmosphere of a football game. It's something you have to see to believe."

Jedinak's telling contribution in the first leg came from a set piece, when he bolted into the box and beat Cardiff keeper Thomas Heaton to Darren Ambrose's cross, nodding on for Gardner to convert from close range.

The Australian said the goal was part of a new set play introduced by manager Dougie Freedman only days prior to the game, although bizarrely he revealed he hadn't practiced the move after missing training prior to the game due to a virus.

"The coaches had it in mind but I wasn't at the training the day before because I was a little bit crook. I found out the plan just before the game but it worked to a tee," Jedinak laughed.

"It helps when the delivery is so good, so when you know the ball's going to be on the money, it's up to you to make the decision to run in. It came off my shoulder in the end, and was fortunate enough to beat the keeper to set up Anthony for the goal."

Despite his first-leg heroics, Jedinak isn't known for his attacking side with Palace. The Australian, who joined the London club from Turkish outfit Genclerbirligi prior to this season, has settled into a defensive midfield role aimed at breaking up opposition play at Palace.

"It's not always the prettiest job and the prettiest position to play in, but somebody has got to do it," he said. "That's someone is me in our team, so whatever has to be done to get us over the line, protect our lead, start up our plays, I'll be doing that, I'll be fighting to make that happen."

The former Central Coast Mariners man has made 23 appearances for his new club this season and added he believed his transition into English football - after two-and-a-half years in Turkey - has been reasonably smooth.

"Obviously it's a different style of game.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
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