2 hours ago
1
The Socceroos are down, but they are not out. The 2-0 defeat to the USA was a sudden comedown after the glories of the previous week, a deflating diversion from a previously promising North American adventure.
Forty-five minutes, however, does not ruin a promising World Cup campaign. The second half revival in Seattle, when the Socceroos matched and pressured the hosts – even if their opponents might have eased off the accelerator – provided a blueprint for the Socceroos ahead of their match against Paraguay in San Francisco on Thursday (Friday AEST).
If there was doubt about Nestory Irankunda’s importance to Australia, it has been dispelled. The 20-year-old was player of the match against Turkey, and changed the game in the second half against the USA. His aggression and appetite for contact set the tone of the Australian advance.
Many were surprised by his omission from the XI in Seattle. The man himself was disappointed. “I would have preferred to start, of course. For me, it was the biggest game. It was the game that I looked most forward to,” he said.
“I would have loved to play from the start and create some things and score some goals, but obviously the coach decided different. He wanted to approach the game differently, which is fine with me, you know. I play for the team, not for myself, so I’m really happy.”
Irankunda alone cannot shoulder the hopes of Australia at this tournament. The Socceroos may have lost the game against the USA, but in substitute Cristian Volpato they have found another contributor.
Irankunda was effusive about his new teammate. “He’s a top player, he’s my mate,” he said, adding they had been in touch since Irankunda broke through in the A-League Men some five years ago. “He’s a talented player and I’m just happy to have him here.”
The pair have the potential to drive Australia towards unprecedented heights over the next decade. Yet the combination was hard to imagine as recently as last month. Volpato’s decision to commit to Australia on the eve of the World Cup was hard to parse. After his less-than-impressive debut against Switzerland, he looked like more of a long-term option, for whom this tournament came around too soon. “It was probably wasn’t the easiest game to play straight away,” Volpato said. “But I’ve been working now in training, so I feel fit.”
Forget about the notion of the winger not contributing until the 2030 or 2034 World Cup tournaments. Volpato has proven his value within just two weeks. The 22-year-old completed five dribbles against the USA, connected well with Irankunda and had one of the Australians’ best openings shortly after coming on. “I thought I could have scored there,” Volpato said. “That’s what I try to do. I try to help the team, lift the spirits.”
Playing for Australia has also had an instant, personal impact on the man who grew up in Western Sydney but has been in Italy since 2020. “Walking out today, I was tearing up, it was amazing,” he said. “If I knew about this, I would have come [to play for Australia] a long time ago.”
Turkey’s shock 1-0 defeat to Paraguay crystallises the opportunity for the Socceroos. Australia can be guaranteed a berth in the last 32 with a draw against Paraguay, but even a narrow defeat is likely to be enough to qualify as a third-placed team – but that outcome will not be decided until other groups finish their pool matches.
Connor Metcalfe, who scored against Turkey but was named on the bench against USA, was another who was impressive in the second half rally in Seattle. He was unlucky not to win a penalty when he was checked while making a run into the area. Mo Touré was isolated until he was taken off at half-time, but he remains Australia’s lead striker.
With Touré up front, and two of Irankunda, Metcalfe and Volpato starting and the other off the bench, Australia’s forward line begins to make sense based on what has been seen over the past month. The personnel and structure, however, means little unless the Australians compete from the first whistle.
Irankunda, when told there is growing support in Australia for him to start, said he appreciated the sentiment. “I’m happy that people support me, I’m happy that the nation supports me and the nation backs me,” he said. “But the coach’s decision is his decision, so at the end of the day we just look forward.”
English (US) ·