Hajduk will have at least one representative at the World Cup being hosted next summer by Brazil. This is none other than Avdija Vršajević, whose Bosnia-Herzegovina team have secured the top spot in their qualifying group and thus qualified for Brazil. The confirmation only came on the last matchday, in which Safet Sušić's men won away at Lithuania, the match in Kaunas only featuring the one goal.
"We are back in Sarajevo after an unforgettable night," said Vršajević for Dalmacija News, "and certainly the crowning moment of my career so far. Every player dreams of the World Cup, and what I experienced last night will stay with me for the rest of my life."
What was it like in Lithuania?
"We started celebrating right away, but the emotions really came out only when we got back to Sarajevo. I for one could not hold back tears. Thousands of people waited at every corner, we drove around town, and people cheered everywhere, everyone was delighted. After the match itself it was not immediately clear to me what we accomplished, but there is no denying this is a very important result."
Those last ninety minutes were tough...
"They were trying to hold out for the draw and breaking through was anything but easy. But we deserve our qualification. We scored our goal and we made it."
How did you personally experience this triumph? You were not in the national team when you first signed for Hajduk...
"Hajduk paved the way for me, being a great club and always followed. When I arrived at Poljud, how could I even dream of a moment like this, my only concern was to excel at each new match that came. It so happened that I got the opportunity to play at right back and I found some good form. I came under consideration for this position in the national team. When Mujdža was unfortunately injured, the opening became an opportunity for me, and I believe I used it as best I could."
What can Bosnia-Herzegovina do in Brazil?
"We are not going to the World Cup with a flag of surrender. We are going so we can reap the fruits of the great effort that got us there."
Tino Sušić?
"He was not called up this time, but Tino is a great hope for Bosnian football, a great player who certainly deserves a chance."
Despite your many commitments in Sarajevo today, can you spare a line or two about Hajduk's upcoming match with Hrvatski Dragovoljac...
"Of course! The national team is the icing on the cake, but the club I play for, the club which has given me everything, can never come second. I will certainly have no trouble readjusting to the regular league commitment. Moreover, I am fully charged and will drive myself to give even more, do even better in the upcoming matches."
CONGRATULATIONS!
