DANDENONG boy Ajdin Hrustic has revealed that his “step down” has paid off after making a successful Dutch top flight debut on Sunday.
Attacker Hrustic, 20, came on in the last 20 minutes of Groningen’s 0-0 draw at AZ Alkmaar after eight games as an unused substitute.
Hrustic played for the Under 17 and 19 sides of German giants Schalke, but at just 17 felt it was time for a new home.
He sensed greater opportunities at a Groningen club noted for its development, having handed senior debuts to Dutch internationals Arjen Robben and Virgil van Dijk and Luis Suarez.
Ajdin Hrustic training with Groningen.“I saw that Schalke wasn’t going to happen. You get a feeling, you know if you’re close or not and while I didn’t feel like I wasn’t good enough, the staff and everyone has to agree,’’ Hrustic said.
“I didn’t want to waste any more time. You make mistakes, you learn and sometimes you have to take a step down to take two steps forward and it’s paid off.’’
Hrustic, who revealed that the Bosnian federation was still courting him, played for the Australian development squad last week in Spain.
A left-footed attacker with an x-factor, Hrustic played off the right-wing in his debut.
“The captain came to me before the game and said ‘be ready’. I thought it’s probably the night but I won’t get too excited because two weeks earlier I was also sent to warm up after 60 minutes but I didn’t come on,’’ he said.
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“Then the coach (Ernest Faber) told me I was the first sub and I came on and played on the right wing.
“For Australia I played on the left-wing but came inside.
“The coach was happy but I’ll take it step by step. There’s another game on (Thursday).
“I want to get minutes and play as many games as possible before the end of the season and stay fit.’’
Until he plays a senior international game, Hrustic can represent the Socceroos or Bosnia but revealed that Olyroos coach Josep Gombau had visited his club.
“The coach flew to Netherlands and spoke to the club about the July qualifiers (U23 Asian Cup) and that he wants me in his team, which means a lot,’’ Hrustic said.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/young-aussie-striker-ajdin-hrustic-making-waves-in-europe-with-new-dutch-club-groningen/news-story/405b60093f6627ac39a78b4c59bc9707