EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Anna Gowthorpe/Shutterstock (14270693bw) Gethin Jones of Bolton Wanderers applauds the fans at full time Lincoln City v Bolton Wanderers, EFL Sky Bet League One, Football, LNER Stadium, Lincoln, UK - 26 Dec 2023
After serving his country, Gethin Jones is happy to return and support Wanderers’ efforts to advance, as reported by Pete Oliver.
Gaining his first caps for Australia and advancing with them in the Asian Cup delighted Jones.
However, the defender for the Whites is prepared to give it his all in the team’s attempt to finish in the top two of League One, following the disappointment of a last-minute quarterfinal loss to South Korea.
“It was an incredible experience—my first time travelling abroad with a first team and for such a long period of time as well,” remarked Jones, who participated in the Socceroos’ first two group stage victories in Qatar.
“It was challenging to stay up to date on the games and spend so much time away from the boys.” Though it was a little challenging due to the time difference, I stayed up late to see the boys play every game.
“It was challenging to stay up to date on the games and spend so much time away from the boys.” Though it was a little challenging due to the time difference, I stayed up late to see the boys play every game.
“Getting knocked out the way we did was obviously devastating, but it was an incredible experience nonetheless. Now that we’re back, I’m focused on the target we have here.”
Australia was eliminated from the competition in the round of eight, and Jones boarded an aircraft to return to the United Kingdom after South Korea’s injury-time equaliser and eventual winner in extra time.
For the first time since the end of December, the 28-year-old was quickly added back to Wanderers’ starting lineup against Cambridge United, taking the captain’s armband from the injured Ricardo Almeida Santos.
Though Wanderers were still third in the table with games remaining against all of the clubs surrounding them, the game was abandoned after nine minutes due to a wet surface. This was a false start given that the sun of Qatar had been replaced by the rain of Cambridge.
“I returned over the weekend following eighteen hours of travel,” Jones said on Wanderers TV. When the gaffer asked if I was ready to go in, I said, “Yes, absolutely.”
“I had a good sleep when we came down to Cambridge and I was made-up to be back out there with the lads. Although it was disappointing not to get the game going in the end, we can now focus on Saturday and go back.
“I am excited about the next games. We’ve been discussing for some time that we have the games under control. We stated before to the game that this was one of our games, and that in order to win, we needed to come down here and give it our all.
“We’re disappointed that the game couldn’t continue, but I believe the referee made the right call.”
