They’re worth their weight in gold - players who can both unlock defences and score goals.
And it looks like Subway Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar has one such magician in his midst with the emergence of Adrian Segecic, a budding number 10 beguiling audiences in the Netherlands on loan from Sydney FC.
Three goals in 11 appearances for second tier FC Dordrecht - 839 minutes of unfiltered endeavour laced with creativity - sealed the 19-year-old’s call up for the Olyroos’ current two-game camp in Saudi Arabia.
Debutant Segecic conjured an assist in the 2-1 weekend win over Qatar and on Tuesday night (12am AEST) he will be looking to further varnish a growing reputation against the hosts at the Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/FootballAUS/status/1725919227994096070
Eredivisie powerhouse Feyenoord have an option on the Australian, and the youngster is making all the right moves with that end game in mind.
“I’ve started well over there - a lot of game time and I’m really enjoying my football,” said the confident kid from Sydney’s west.
“I didn’t expect to be starting games so quickly in Holland but I was expecting a lot of minutes, which is the reason I went there.
“One of the factors was also the technical, fast-paced style of the game there.
“I thought the league would suit me the best and I’m learning a lot already. There were other options - but it was case of going somewhere where I knew I’d develop.
“I’m speaking to the coach at Feyenoord a lot - that’s the goal for me to be taken under their wing. That would be perfect.”
A former Joey and Young Socceroo, Segecic isn’t short of self belief, happy to carry any expectation placed on his young shoulders.
“I’ve always liked to score goals, be creative and I enjoy that freedom playing as a 10,” he added.
“I like to get around the field and make things happen.”
Referencing the Saudi clash - an important gauge of where Vidmar’s team are at ahead of April’s AFC U-23 Asian Cup which acts as the qualifier for the 2024 Paris Games - Segecic said: “Every game for us now is important because we don’t get a lot of time together.
“It’s a good chance for us to bond and gel together and keep the positive vibes up leading into those qualifiers.
“None of these games are easy - Qatar tried to get in our heads a bit and I expect the Saudis to do the same. It will be a really good test for us.”
The lure of the Olympics at the end of the rainbow is profound, with Segecic acknowledging the enormity of the event.
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing and I really want to help Australia get there,” he said.
“It’s good for me to the sort of player who can stand out and change a game. I’ve always idolised Messi, for his quality, and Ronaldinho, for the joy of watching him play, and I want to try and have those types of qualities within me as well.
“I want people to come and enjoy watching me play.”
Match Details
Saudi Arabia U-23 v Australia U-23
Tuesday, 21 November 2023
Kick-off: 4pm local / 12am AEDT (Wednesday, 22 November)
Prince Saud Bin Jalawi Stadium, Saudi Arabia