Return of Jedi as Aussies face China in Asian Cup

Inspirational captain Mile Jedinak is set to return for Australia as the Socceroos and undefeated China battle for a place in the semi-finals of the Asian Cup on Thursday.
The Crystal Palace midfielder was injured in Australia's opening Group A win against Kuwait, and sat out the 4-0 drubbing of Oman and Saturday's narrow loss to South Korea.
"If selected, I'll be ready. That goes without saying," said Jedinak, nicknamed "Jedi".
"Sitting out the last couple of games hasn't been easy. But it's given me a little (bit) of time to see what other ways I can help," he added.
"Do I think I will be affected by lack of game time the last couple of games? Probably not, but that is just me -- we will have to wait and see."
Jedinak's return from an ankle injury is a massive boost for coach Ange Postecoglou, who is expected to return to his first-choice attack of record scorer Tim Cahill and Bayer Leverkusen forward Robbie Kruse.
Postecoglou rued the decision to bench Cahill, Kruse and striker Mathew Leckie for their game against the Koreans when Australia lost 1-0, leaving them with a quarter-final in hot, humid Brisbane and a potential semi against holders Japan in Newcastle.
The stakes are high on Thursday, with defeat likely to set back Australia's push to popularise football in a country traditionally focused on rugby, cricket and Australian rules.
China, like Australia, have never won the Asian Cup and they are seeking a title which would finally put football's "sleeping giant" at the top of the regional pecking order.
The Socceroos won't be at full strength and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors defender Alex Wilkinson is expected to replace suspended centre-back Matthew Spiranovic.
They must now overcome a China side that has enjoyed its best ever start to the Asian Cup, winning all three group matches for the first time.
But Postecoglou said he wasn't thinking about the potential fall-out from a defeat.
"I don't have a great imagination," he said. "I am pretty boring in that way. All I see is what is in front of us."
- Zheng concern -
China boss Alain Perrin is sweating on the fitness of his own captain, Zheng Zhi, after the skipper was substituted complaining of back pain in Sunday's 2-1 win over North Korea in Canberra.
The 2013 Asian player of the year is one of China's most successful footballing exports and the 34-year-old lynchpin is seen as crucial to his side's chances of winning a first Asian Cup.
China -- twice Asian Cup runners-up -- finished with a perfect three wins out of three in Group B, two of them in Brisbane, and largely thanks to the goals of Sun Ke.
The winger has netted three times, including a spectacular winner against Uzbekistan, and he said China were fully focused for the quarter-final.
"I think if we can focus on the game, and keep our concentration to make sure we pay attention to every detail, I think we can leave the pitch having performed well," said Sun.
Perrin has warned his players to expect a backlash from the Socceroos after their Korean defeat but thinks his team's Aussie summer can continue.
"Beijing is very cold right now so we want to enjoy the warm weather here for a little bit longer. Australia is a good, strong team but we will continue to move forward," he said.
"They are at home and have quality players like (Tim) Cahill who are tough and have technical ability. But if our players play with the spirit they have had so far, I think we're in for a very good result tomorrow."
Source: AFP