With Socceroo Tom Rogic set to light up Canberra in a homecoming for the ACT star in next month’s FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan, we delve deeper into the career of our Tom.
1: Tom's a Nike Chance winner
Rogic first rose to prominence back in 2011 when as a teenager was identified as one of the eight best young footballers on the planet by securing a contract with the Nike Football Academy in the UK. Not a bad effort considering he beat out 75,000 hopefuls around the world in the talent search comp for one of the spots in the famed Nike academy.
2: He's a Futsalroo and Socceroo!
The Griffith-born playmaker is blessed with some silky skills and touches, honed from playing Futsal throughout his junior days. And he went on to represent Australia in the indoor format of the game, playing at the 2010 AFC Futsal Championships at just 18 where he was the Futsalroos’ leading scorer with six goals.
3: Tom shares a birthday with Jane Austen and Benny from Abba!
Rogic was born on December 16, 1992 but we bet you didn’t know he shares his birthday with a couple of famous names. Renowned novelist Jane Austen also came into the world on that day [although way back in 1775], while Swedish supergroup ABBA and their star Benny Andersson also shares a birthday with our Socceroo sensation.
4: His first Socceroo goal was scored in WA
Rogic made his Socceroos debut back in 2012 but it wasn’t until earlier this year when he broke his scoring duck in the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifier against Bangladesh in Perth. The Celtic midfielder was found on the edge of the box by Tarek Elrich, taking one touch to control before volleying lashing a powerful shot past the ‘keeper.
5: His first Hyundai A-League goal was in Victoria
In just his third A-League appearance Rogic announced himself to the competition with a brilliant goal in the game away against Melbourne Victory on February 10, 2012. Showing his exceptional control and powerful running game, he drove at a retreating Victory defence, made space for himself and finished clinically to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. Unfortunately goals to a certain Carlos Hernandez and Harry Kewell meant it wouldn’t be a winning goal for the youngster but a fantastic moment nonetheless.
6: His first competitive start with Celtic and he scored!
Rogic had had an injury-plagued couple of years at the Scottish giants but capped his first start since 2013 with a goal at the start of this current season. Playing against Partick Thistle, the 22-year-old grabbed the opener in a 2-0 win when he smashed in an unstoppable shot from just inside the box. Now enjoying a concerted run in the team, Rogic has since added further goals against both St Johnstone and Dundee in recent weeks.
