SYDNEY (AP) - Mile Jedinak stepped up when it counted most, propelling Australia into next year's World Cup with a hat trick Wednesday in a 3-1 victory over Honduras that secured the next-to-last spot in Russia.
Jedinak stars as Australia qualifies for 2018 World Cup
The Australia captain was in doubt for the intercontinental playoff series with a groin injury that had forced him to miss the end of the Asian qualifying campaign, when the Socceroos narrowly missed out on direct entry.
But Jedinak played a full game in the 0-0 draw in San Pedro Sula last Friday and, aided by the state-of-the-art rehabilitation program on Australia's charter flight home, took the free kick that broke the scoring drought in the 54th minute at Sydney's Olympic stadium.