Hrustic hungry for Confederations Cup shot

Jun 14, 2017 - 6:11 AM With his debut done and dusted, Ajdin Hrustic is hoping to take his Socceroos career to the competitive stage at the Confederations Cup.

The 20-year-old Dutch-based attacker has been a surprise package since bolting into Australia's set-up amid a tug of war with his father's native Bosnia Herzegovina for his services.

And he didn't hold back when coach Ange Postecoglou put him on against Brazil for the last 30 minutes of Tuesday night's friendly - his first cap at any level for the country of his own birth.

Though the Socceroos shipped three goals in that period, Hrustic showed plenty of aggression and no sign of nerves against the world No.1 side.

"I was excited, there was no need to be nervous," he said.

"It was a friendly game, I felt free. The boss also told me just to do my thing and I felt good."

"It's great to make my debut against Brazil, and in my hometown where I was born.

"It's just disappointing to get that kind of result, but I'm sure we'll learn from this and take it as a positive on our way to Russia."

Should Hrustic get any minutes against group opponents Germany, Cameroon and Chile at the tournament his international future will be officially tied to Australia.

The former Schalke youth-team player has only seven Dutch Eredivisie appearances off the bench for FC Groningen, yet felt confident and ready to take it to some of the world's top nations.

"That's why I've been selected," Hrustic said.

"So I hope I make minutes in the three group games, and hopefully onto the next stage."

Postecoglou was impressed with the youngster's positivity.

"He's learning all the time and he's certainly shown, mostly at training and in glimpses against Brazil that he's got some talent," the coach said.

"We'll keep trying to encourage that and give him as many opportunities as we can."

Source: AAP