Hadžić: My lifelong dream came true in Innsbruck

The BiH national football team lost their first match of the year in the Austrian city of Innsbruck, by a score of 2-0 to the Egyptian national team. The Pharaohs taught us a real lesson, after the euphoria that gripped us upon qualifying for the World Cup. A loss like any other hurts, but it hurts less if we learn from it. However, not all is bleak. We gained two new Dragons, Anel Hadžić and Tin Sven Sušić, who debuted in Innsbruck. The player from Sturm Graz, Anel Hadžić, shared his impressions, feelings, and experiences from his debut for the most beloved jersey with the Patria News Agency (NAP).

- I cannot describe the feeling when I heard I would receive a call-up to the national team. I simply cried with joy. I didn't know what to do, who to call first. After a few minutes, I calmed down and shared my happiness with my loved ones – Anel Hadžić began his conversation with NAP, and continued with his impressions from Innsbruck:

- My lifelong dream came true in Innsbruck, which is to play for my country. When the anthem started playing, my heart began to beat abnormally fast. When I closed my eyes for a few seconds to better feel the melody of the anthem, I thought I was dreaming. There was a little nervousness, but the positive kind. As I entered the game, I recited Fatiha and kissed the crest on the jersey, which is sacred to me – Hadžić told us.

NAP: Playing for the national team is a great honor, but also a responsibility. How did you experience your first appearance?

- Playing for the BiH national team is, above all, a great honor for me, but also a responsibility. I was raised to love my country and to fight for it with all my heart and strength. I hope I did not disappoint coach Safet Sušić, who showed me trust, nor our fans, for whom I have only words of praise. I only regret that my debut was a loss.

NAP: Do you hope for a call-up from the coach for Brazil?

- I am not thinking about that right now; I am currently focused on my performances at Sturm, because only with good performances at my club can I hope for another call-up to the national team. My job is to play, and coach Safet Sušić decides who travels to Brazil.

NAP: What do you think of the BiH national team fans?

- Our fans are the best in the world. No one has them like us. They fill the stadium for almost every away game, creating an atmosphere as if we were playing in Bosnia. I got goosebumps when I saw and heard their cheering.

NAP: You debuted for BiH, and your mentor Samir Muratović retired; what is your relationship like?

- Samir Muratović deserved this because he gave a lot to the national team. I hang out with him every day in Graz. He also brought me to Sturm. We all know the status he enjoys here. He helps me a lot, both on and off the field – said the new BiH international, Anel Hadžić, for the Patria News Agency (NAP), at the end of the conversation.