“Wow, what a player,” was ex-Australia midfielder Craig Foster’s glowing summation of breakthrough Socceroo Ajdin Hrustic after last week’s 7-1 destruction of Chinese Taipei.
Coming off the bench for just his third cap, the Netherlands-based attacking weapon conjured three assists in a 25-minute cameo, and insists there’s plenty more to come as Australia’s quest for qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup unfolds.
Looking ahead to the crucial qualifier against bogey team Jordan in Amman on November 14, Hrustic believes he can give Foster et al the chance to roll out another round of superlatives.
“It’s a long way to the World Cup and hopefully it starts here for me,” he said.
“Every player in the squad brings something different and has different strengths and qualities and it’s up to Arnie (Graham Arnold) who he thinks is best for the role (on a given day). It’s a positive.
“Jordan next up are a decent side and I’m guessing they’ll be aggressive and physical but I still expect us to dominate and be ruthless in front of goal.
“I’m concentrating more on what we’ll do - we’ve scored 12 goals in the last two games and hopefully we’ve plenty more to follow.”
While confident he has the armory to be a starter ahead of the likes of Brandon Borrello, the Groningen live-wire is also just happy to be part of the journey, no matter what form that takes.
“First I just hope to see my name on that 23-man list and go on from there. If it’s 90 minutes it’s 90, if it’s 70 it’s 70. If it’s 30 it’s 30.
“It’s up to us to make it tough for Arnie to pick his team, which is a positive thing. He’s doing a great job and I’m enjoying being part of it all.”
Reflecting on his assist blitz against Chinese Taipei, with two dead deliveries to Harry Souttar and a perceptive pass for Jamie Maclaren, Hrustic, 23, added: “After the Nepal game (a 20-minute shift) Arnie (Graham Arnold) told me, ‘at set pieces just grab the ball and take it, it’s yours’.
“Of course it’s good when the manager has that confidence in you. Arnie just tells me to go out there - do what I do and express myself.”
Hrustic, with three goals for his club in 10 appearances this season in a new advanced role, isn’t unaware of Foster’s accolades, coming after SBS screened the game.
“My father sent me the video and also a few people have mentioned it from back home.
“It’s always nice to hear those positive views when people talk about you, especially somebody like him whose been in the game so long and has such a great understanding of it.
“For me, I just give everything I can on the field and it’s good to get noticed.”
