Sydney FC winger Adrian Segecic believes fans are now seeing the best of what he has to offer after his second-half hat-trick helped the Sky Blues beat Central Coast Mariners 4-1.
With the game evenly poised at 1-1, Segecic was subbed on in the 55th minute and duly went on to turn the game on its head – scoring three goals in the space of 23 minutes to secure the points for his side.
“Yeah obviously, it feels amazing, you know, to come on and especially as a 20-year-old, to score a hat-trick. You know, I don’t think it gets much better than that.” said Segecic when talking to aleagues.com.au after the game.
MATCH REPORT: Sensational Segecic scores hat-trick off the bench as Sydney FC see off the Mariners
Since returning from a loan spell with FC Dordrecht in the Netherlands, Segecic has featured prominently under Ufuk Talay this season.
Playing 10 games in the Isuzu UTE A-League (five of which have been starts) Segecic has also been key tothe Sky Blues’ ACL Two campaign, helping the club reach the knockout stages of the competition.
“Going overseas and getting a lot of games, every three or four days, and building confidence, building experience,” said the 20-year-old when asked what he benefitted from whilst playing in Europe.
“I’ve never felt so confident and free stepping onto the field like I have in the recent games. So, yeah, that’s a massive thing for me.”
Subbed on for Anas Ouahim, Segecic was given creative licence by his head coach in order to help find the breakthrough and he duly did that, scoring three goals whilst operating in a position he feels he thrives in.
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“For (the) national team, I’ve always played in the number 10 role, working in between the lines, spinning off strikers.
“Look for me, I think that’s what suits me best. Look at the national team, I think I’ve been killing it, and to be able to come here and do the same now, it’s massive for me.”
With Socceroos head coach Tony Popovic watching on from the stands, Segecic also picked the perfect night to become Sydney FC’s youngster ever hat-trick scorer.
“Oh, look, that’s up to him to decide, but I hope I’m in his mind, and I hope I’m doing a good job!” said Segecic when asked whether or not he’s hoping to receive a Socceroos call-up for the next international window in March.
“You know, football’s a crazy world. So hopefully things can happen that people don’t expect. So hopefully!”
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There’s no doubt Segecic’s performance will have given head coach Talay plenty of food for thought with regards to squad selection but the youngster admits he’s just keen to keep on improving and learning, especially from those around him.
“I think just little things like body positioning, you know, especially with Joe and Douglas, the way they find the spaces,” said Segecic when asked if he’s learned anything from his two senior teammates.
“I think awareness is the biggest thing once you’re working in between the lines and knowing when to spin off, you know, a little movement to create space for yourself.
He added: “Especially players like us who aren’t the most physical but are more agile to create that space, to be able to, you know, shine like we did. So I think that’s one thing I’m learning.
“I think I’m more of a visual player, so I like to watch and analyse and see what they do, and then picture me in that situation.”
