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Aloisi sees Hrustic as Roos' WC hero

3 minute read

The man who broke Australia's World Cup curse, John Aloisi, is tipping man-of-the-moment Ajdin Hrustic to become the Socceroos' latest play-off hero.

JOHN ALOISI, coach of Brisbane.
JOHN ALOISI, coach of Brisbane. Picture: Masashi Hara Getty Images

He knows all about being the man to fire Australia to a World Cup in a big game and John Aloisi believes Ajdin Hrustic is the player most likely to deliver in next week's play-off against Peru.

Hrustic's thunderous 84th-minute winner in Tuesday's Asian play-off against the United Arab Emirates has already made him a hero for Socceroos fans.

Aloisi, who famously scored the penalty in a shootout win over Uruguay in 2005 to end Australia's 32-year World Cup exile, can see Hrustic's hero status going to the next level when Australia take on world No.22 Peru in Monday's (Tues 0400 AEST) inter-continental play-off.

"He'll believe that he's the one that can help Australia win it. You saw that in this game," Aloisi told AAP.

"You even saw it when he wasn't performing at his best against Japan.

"He was still wanting the ball in these good areas. He was still trying to make something happen.

"I've got no doubt that he'll be the one that will make something happen because winning the Europa League with Eintracht Frankfurt will give him massive confidence that he can do it on the world stage.

"I'm sure he'll step up for this game as well."

Melbourne-born Hrustic was just nine years old when Aloisi's iconic penalty moment occurred at Stadium Australia.

Having the chance to emulate his childhood heroes is clearly an enticing thought for the 25-year-old, who has now scored three goals in his 18 Socceroos appearances as his star his risen throughout Australia's qualifying campaign.

"Growing up watching Harry Kewell, Timmy Cahill, Mark Schwarzer also John Aloisi's penalty," Hrustic told AAP.

"No-one will forget how he made that 100 metre sprint, swinging his shirt.

"This is moments that you do it for."

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