Crystal Palace skipper Mile Jedinak has ended 2014 on a massive high after scooping up the Asian Football Confederation’s International Player of the Year award at the confederation’s annual ceremony.
The 30-year-old has been in great form this year for both club and country, contributing to the Eagles’ campaign to remain in the Premier League last season and playing a major part in Australia’s World Cup campaign, captaining the side in a group that included Spain and the Netherlands; of which in a game against the latter, Jedinak scored in their 3-2 defeat.
The Eagles and Australia captain made a full season of appearances in the Premier League for Crystal Palace last season with impressive defending statistics, joining some of Europe’s elite in the defending rankings; Jedinak also managed to score once towards the end of the season for Tony Pulis’ side against West Ham United when the Eagles were in impressive form whilst also contributing to a couple of goals throughout the season as well.
Jedinak also contributed to Australia’s successful season, making nine appearances that were shared between both friendly and World Cup fixtures; he scored two goals for the side that will feature in the AFC Asian Cup in January with one in a defeat to Ecuador and the other against Holland, making him the first Crystal Palace player to score in the tournament’s history.
Due to his commitments for the club, Jedinak couldn’t attend the ceremony in the Philippines, but left a message in his absence.
“To be recognised by the AFC for the year I had is important to me and I’m very humbled at receiving this award,” Jedinak said.
“I’d like to recognise my team-mates for both club and country for an incredible last 12 months. It has been a year I won’t forget in a hurry.
I’d like to thank all the Socceroos fans who followed us on our World Cup journey in Brazil and beyond, as well as the people who’ve watched the Premier League and Crystal Palace over the last year at all hours of the morning and been on this amazing journey with me.”
Former Palace player and coach, Tony Poppovic also picked up an award at the ceremony as he secured the AFC’s Coach of the Year award after guiding the West Sydney Wanderers to Asia’s version of the Champions League.
