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Replacing Rogic a team role for Socceroos

3 minute read

He's the man most likely but Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic says it will be a team effort to replace Tom Rogic for the World Cup play-offs.

TOMMY ROGIC.
TOMMY ROGIC. Picture: Buda Mendes/Getty Images

He looms as the man most likely to fill the breach left by Tom Rogic's withdrawal from the Socceroos World Cup play-off squad but Ajdin Hrustic says success will only come through a team effort.

Hrustic and rising star Denis Genreau are facing the heat of taking Rogic's place in the Socceroos' midfield for Tuesday's (Wednesday 0400 AEST) must-win game against the United Arab Emirates in Qatar after the Celtic star withdrew for personal reasons.

The 25-year-old has emerged as a key figure in Graham Arnold's plans during the World Cup qualifying campaign, providing creativity as well as a threat with his set piece delivery, including two free-kick goals.

Hrustic is also coming into the play-offs on a distinct high after scoring a penalty in Eintracht Frankfurt's Europa League final shootout triumph over Rangers in Seville last month.

He has, however, dismissed the suggestion it will be individuals who lift Australia through to a fifth straight World Cup finals.

"I won't be able to do it myself and he (Genreau) won't be able to do it himself but we'll be able to do it as a team," Hrustic told AAP.

"This is what counts at the end.

"We're going to do it as a team, as a country.

"We're going to need all 28 players. We're all going to need to be ready.

"There will be moments just like I had to step up in the Europa League final. I came on second-half of extra time and I managed to touch, what, four-or-five balls? I had one shot and then I had to take that massive penalty.

"We've got two days to go and we're going to work on the small detail that we've been working on, and we got Jordan as a great friendly to prepare.

"So we're all ready to go."

Hrustic created memories of a lifetime with his Europa League win, from celebrating on the field in Seville after lifting the trophy to a triumphant homecoming in Germany where hundreds of thousands crammed Frankfurt's streets in jubilation.

It's a winning feeling Hrustic is eager to share with his teammates to fire them to the World Cup.

"I come into camp with full confidence," he said.

"It's normal. You've just won the Europa League and it's not something small where say I've just won a friendly game but it's a major title.

"Coming to camp full of energy and I hope I can, with this positive energy, try to bring it into the boys so we will be all ready to go against the UAE."

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