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Adrian Segecic confident a strong season with Portsmouth will help him realise his FIFA World Cup dream

Former A-League talent and FIFA World Cup hopeful Adrian Segecic is keen to show “how good” he is in the English Championship for Portsmouth.

NewsWire

Former A-League star Adrian Segecic has backed his chances of playing for the Socceroos at next year’s FIFA World Cup – if he has a strong season in the English Championship with his new club Portsmouth.

Despite often having to settle for an impact role off the bench, Segecic starred for Sydney FC last season, with his 13 goals enough to a be co-winner of the A-League Golden Boot with Adelaide United striker Archie Goodwin.

Segecic’s form also led to him signing last month with Portsmouth on a three-year deal.

The 21-year-old attacking weapon has so far impressed in Pompey’s pre-season campaign in both finding the back of the net and setting up goals for his teammates.

Segecic hopes to continue that form during Portsmouth’s Championship campaign, which kicks off on August 9 against Oxford United at Kassam Stadium.

“If I’m playing here and doing well then one thing is going to lead to the other,” Segecic told the Portsmouth.co.uk website.

“The World Cup’s definitely a target for me … the World Cup would be amazing. To go and play at a World Cup at my age would be a dream, especially for Australia.

“We’ve qualified, so it’s just about being able to make the squad. Playing for Portsmouth and doing well here gives the chance for that to happen.

“(I) want to play in the Championship. It’s one of the hardest leagues in the world.

“If I’m able to show I can handle it, I think it shows how good how I am.

‘I will need to be good technically to cope with that, and if I’m doing well in the Championship, I think there’s a good chance (of going to the World Cup).”

A strong start to the season will also help Segecic’s chances of being picked in the Socceroos squad for September’s two friendly games against New Zealand in Canberra and Auckland.

Read related topics:FIFA Women's World Cup 2023
Marco Monteverde
Marco MonteverdeSports reporter

Marco Monteverde is a Brisbane-based sports reporter for NCA Newswire. He worked in a similar role for The Courier-Mail from 2007 to 2020. During a journalism career of more than 25 years, he has also worked for The Queensland Times, The Sunshine Coast Daily, The Fraser Coast Chronicle and The North West Star. He has covered three FIFA World Cups and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, as well as a host of other major sporting events in Australia and around the world.

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/breaking-news/adrian-segecic-confident-a-strong-season-with-portsmouth-will-help-him-realise-his-fifa-world-cup-dream/news-story/fc987d0fbded6bb7fa3dd2185a4c25dd