Kruse the man of the hour Well done: Robbie Kruse is congratulated by Socceroos veterans Tim Cahill and Lucas Neill. For Tim Cahill, it was a brace of goals off the bench in the torrid atmosphere of a World Cup first-round match when he rescued Australia's dreams on a hot afternoon in Kaiserslautern, Germany, seven years ago. For John Aloisi, it was that moment in Sydney six months earlier when he scored the penalty in the shootout that eliminated Uruguay in a sudden-death playoff and sent Australia to Germany. All players have one moment, or one game, where they announce themselves, making such an impression that their place in fans' affections is guaranteed. Some, such as Mark Viduka and Harry Kewell, are blessed, and have so many moments it's hard to list them all. Robbie Kruse had his on Tuesday when he produced the best display of his international career against Jordan. It's up to him whether he can replicate that on a regular basis, or whether he will be remembered for this standout performance. All Australia will be hoping it's the former - and that he repeats the effort next Tuesday in Sydney when the Socceroos take on Iraq in a match they need to win to remain in control of their World Cup destiny. Kruse, the former Melbourne Victory striker, was outstanding against the Jordanians, whom he teased and tormented for the entire game. The 24-year-old has perhaps improved more than any other Australian player in the past 2½ years. Holger Osieck picked him for the Asian Cup squad that went to Qatar in January 2011 but he was regarded as a bolter, a player to make up the numbers and gain experience. But Osieck showed how highly he regarded Kruse by regularly using him off the bench, mainly to replace Kewell: the apprentice has become, if not the master, then certainly the aspiring craftsman. Kruse has taken not just the No.10 shirt Kewell used to wear, but slotted into the role he so often played in the national team, a wide attacking midfielder/striker. Kruse has grown in strength, discipline, tactical awareness and developed his all-round game since his move to Germany with Fortuna Dusseldorf two years ago. He has impressed in the Bundesliga enough for Bayer Leverkusen, a team that will play in the Champions League next year, to sign him. His has been a remarkable turnaround. Frank Farina (who also gave Australia's other winger, Tommy Oar, and substitute Michael Zullo their chances when he coached Brisbane Roar) first picked Kruse, but off-field problems led him to move away from his native city and rebuild his career in Melbourne. At the time he was regarded as a talented but erratic youngster. Kruse worked strongly to turn his game around, and his rise is a tribute to his application, commitment and growing maturity. Osieck was desperate after the game to ensure all the talk wasn't about Kruse, exhorting journalists that he didn't want any headlines about heroes. I don't want to go into details, but a game is not just running forwards," he said. The Socceroos have been lacking in star power and it is hoped Kruse can fill the vacancy. The player himself was rather more modest. It's half the job done, hopefully we can do that [other half] next week ... I think we played some wonderful football. It's a credit we had numerous chances. We probably could have had a few more goals. We had a wonderful structure and tonight I think the attacking part of our play just clicked. Hopefully we can [replicate] that next week, because it boils down to this game. If we can get it done then we're at the World Cup. ■ Melbourne Heart has again raided the Dutch market to shore up its squad, signing Ajax and PSV Eindhoven defender Rob Wielaert as its third foreign player for the 2013-14 season. Heart coach John Aloisi watched him play in the Netherlands in May, labelling him "a smart footballer."