Hrustic: Every camp is special
CommBank Socceroos midfielder Ajdin Hrustic gave his advice for the new players in the squad on Monday morning, saying that every call-up to the national team squad is a special one.
He was speaking to media ahead of the upcoming FIFA Series 2026™ that will feature games against Cameroon and Curacao.
The 29-year-old also gave his opinion on the team's kit, his time in clubland for Heracles Almelo in the Netherlands, and the runway to the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
New kit
It feels good. Looks good. A little throwback to the 2006 World Cup. I can't wait to chuck it on and get out there.
It's simple - sums up a bit of my style, simple and classy, and that's it. There's only a few of us here, so I haven't been able to speak anyone about it. I'm just chucking on now seeing it for the first time, so I'll have to check up on what they think.
Advice for new players as World Cup approaches
Every camp is important. Every camp is special. You've just got to enjoy it. Enjoy every moment you get. If it's your first, your fifth, your hundredth cap, enjoy it and just get out there and be yourself.
I welcome everyone with open hands. I was once young and you so I know, I know the feeling. I can't wait to meet the new boys that I haven't met before. I know most of them. There's only three or four boys, but I'll be one of the first to make sure they feel comfortable and they enjoy it.
I remember qualifying for the World Cup. I remember being there. That feeling you get is something you can't describe. It's once every four years, and you've got to be ready, you've got to be on the dot. You can't sleep on that. Everyone's going to prepare in their own kind of way, and they're all going to be at their best, I'm sure of that.
[My advice is] just to enjoy it, feel comfortable, open up, speak, ask questions if need be. I remember coming in as a young boy, it's not always the easiest. So the first thing I want to do is make sure the boys feel welcome and comfortable.
Longer runway to prepare for World Cup
Having a bit more time knowing you're going to be there gives a bit of relief, but I think it also puts a bit of pressure on us to step up and prepare well and prepare the best you can. In the 2022 [World Cup] you didn't have much time to prepare, and this time you've really got months and months ahead of you. So I think it's good for the boss, good for us boys to go out there, enjoy ourselves and show ourselves.
It's a moment [at a major tournament] where you want to step up, you want to show yourself, and you want to enjoy representing your country. You know what I mean? So that's how I see it. Everyone's different, but I think it's special.
Club season at Heracles
I'm a team player, so I want to say the season hasn't been the best. It's been tough, a lot of changes, ups and downs. I've managed to play a good part, I'd say, in it, with a few goals and assists, so I'm happy. But if you know me, you know I always want more. I won't stop, and I'll make sure that we can get ourselves out the relegation zone. Take it day by day, game by game.
[Getting out of the relegation zone is] hard work. You've got to have luck on your side, you've got to hope that results go your way. You've got to make sure that you get your points, and you've got to hope that the team above you drops points.
MATCH DETAILS
CommBank Socceroos v Cameroon
Date: Friday, 27 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: Accor Stadium
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketmaster
CommBank Socceroos v Curaçao
Date: Tuesday, 31 March
Kick-off: 8.10pm AEDT
Venue: AAMI Park
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Tickets: Available on Ticketek