Nestory Irankunda Inspires Socceroos to Dominant Victory in Melbourne Farewell
Australia delivered a commanding performance in their final home match before the upcoming World Cup, defeating Curaçao 5-1 in the FIFA Series at AAMI Park in Melbourne. The match will be remembered for Nestory Irankunda's electrifying second-half display, where the young forward scored twice to elevate what had been a somewhat lackluster friendly into a memorable send-off for the national team.
Substitutes Transform the Game After Halftime
Head coach Tony Popovic turned to his bench in the second half, and the decision proved decisive. Irankunda, Riley McGree, and Jordy Bos entered the match in the 66th minute with the score level at 1-1. Within two minutes, they combined to create the go-ahead goal, with McGree's precise left-foot cross finding defender Alessandro Circati at the back post for a headed finish.
The trio continued to dominate, creating several near-misses before Bos himself found the net with a curling right-foot shot that struck the post and bounced in. Irankunda then took center stage, displaying nifty footwork and a powerful finish for his first goal, which he celebrated with a backflip and a Michael Jackson-inspired "smooth criminal" gesture. He added a second goal later from a through ball by substitute Nishan Velupillay.
Promising Performances Throughout the Lineup
Awer Mabil opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, marking his first start for the national team in three years with a well-taken finish. The goal was created through strong pressing, with Kai Trewin intercepting possession and Deni Juric providing the assist. Trewin, who was trialed at right wingback, delivered a promising performance that gave Popovic plenty to consider ahead of the World Cup.
Despite the experimental backline conceding a soft equalizer early in the second half—when Arjany Martha capitalized on defensive miscommunication—the Socceroos responded emphatically. Captain Mat Ryan, along with defenders Circati and Lucas Herrington, provided stability, while midfielders Connor Metcalfe and Aiden O'Neill controlled the tempo.
Popovic Praises Impact and Progress
After the match, Popovic expressed his delight with the substitutes' contributions, noting they made a "wonderful impact" after the foundation was laid in the first half. "It's not easy starting those games, and you could see in the second half when they fatigued, we looked sharper with the players that came on," he said.
The coach specifically highlighted Irankunda's development, emphasizing that the young forward is on the right track after a challenging period. "He's young, he's 20 years old, he's a wonderful talent, and we want him to be happy, want him to enjoy his football, but we also want him to understand that he needs to work. Talent's not enough, it never has been," Popovic stated.
Looking Ahead to World Cup Challenges
This victory provides a significant boost as Australia prepares for a challenging World Cup group that includes hosts the USA, Paraguay, and the winner of the playoff between Turkey and Kosovo. The performance of substitutes like Irankunda, McGree, and Bos offers optimism for the tournament, demonstrating depth and versatility in the squad.
The match also served as a valuable opportunity for Popovic to assess his options, with players like Aziz Behich, Kye Rowles, and Ajdin Hrustic featuring in the starting lineup. As the team heads to their final pre-tournament camp in the United States, this emphatic win in Melbourne will serve as a confidence-building foundation for the challenges ahead.
