‘I thought they were bluffing’: How the Socceroos’ missing link fell off the radar

, scoring a penalty in the decisive shootout to become the first Australian to lift a UEFA trophy since Harry Kewell in 2005, and then emerged from the Socceroos’ torturous qualification campaign as arguably the team’s most valuable player, primed to light up the World Cup in Qatar.“It was a tough period, I’m not going to lie,” Hrustic told this masthead. “But everything happens for a reason.”

To do that, we have to go back to a month before the World Cup, when Hrustic landed awkwardly on his left ankle in a match for Verona against AC Milan., forgoing surgery to give himself a chance of playing – but with his mobility clearly limited, and his training output restricted, he saw just 59 minutes off the bench and was a shadow of the player who had starred for Australia in the months prior.“I tried to just bite through it and be a man, like they say: do it for the team and everything.

Arnold has made exceptions for some key players like defender Harry Souttar, who continues to be selected for Australia despite being similarly ignored by his manager at Leicester City.“But I think that those two friendly games would have been a great chance for me to show the world that I’m fit, and I’m OK. I’m not asking him to play 90 minutes, just to be part of the squad.

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

‘Got this wrong’: Socceroos great’s dramatic backflip on Sam Kerr question‘Got this wrong’: Socceroos great’s dramatic backflip on Sam Kerr question
Source: FOXSportsAUS - 🏆 24. / 51 Read more »

Stephen Maxwell dies aged 59 as tributes flow for NSL champion and former Socceroos player7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Source: 7NewsSydney - 🏆 16. / 63 Read more »

Socceroos star Martin Boyle in a stable condition after suffering head injury during Scottish Cup quarterfinalSocceroos striker Martin Boyle is taken to hospital after landing awkwardly on his head during a Scottish Cup match between Hibernians and Rangers.
Source: abcnews - 🏆 5. / 83 Read more »

Socceroos star in ‘stable condition’ after suffering sickening collisionFootball: Manchester City and Liverpool both missed the opportunity to go top of the premier league after playing out a 1-1 draw at Anfield.
Source: FOXSportsAUS - 🏆 24. / 51 Read more »

Arnold not to blame for Socceroos’ Asian Cup exit, says FA’s top technical chiefGraham Arnold was criticised for Australia’s style of play and lack of creativity in attack, but Football Australia’s chief football officer says he can only do so much with the players available to him.
Source: smh - 🏆 6. / 80 Read more »

Arnold not to blame for Socceroos’ Asian Cup exit, says FA’s top technical chiefGraham Arnold was criticised for Australia’s style of play and lack of creativity in attack, but Football Australia’s chief football officer says he can only do so much with the players available to him.
Source: brisbanetimes - 🏆 13. / 67 Read more »