Irankunda wants Socceroos call-up; Matildas stars escape exhibition match unscathed

Bayern Munich-bound teen sensation Nestory Irankunda won’t rule out a switch of international allegiances if he continues to be overlooked for Socceroos squads, while Matildas stars escape an exhibition match at Marvel unscathed and ready for national camp next week.

Eighteen-year-old Irankunda revealed the possibility of playing for other national sides after he played in the A-League All Stars Men’s 8-0 thrashing of English Premier League side Newcastle United on Friday night.

Nestory Irankunda on the run for the A-League All Stars Men against Newcastle United FC at Marvel Stadium on Friday night.Credit: Getty Images

Irankunda said it was his “dream” to play for Australia but he is also eligible to play for Tanzania and Burundi.

Asked if it was his hope that his move to Europe would help him gain more time with the Socceroos, Irankunda said: “It was. But as of now I’m not too sure on how things are gonna go.

“I haven’t been called up for a few of the squads now. I’m still thinking on what I’m gonna do in the future, national level. So we’ll see. I’m still eligible for Tanzania, Burundi as well.

“But obviously it’s a dream of mine to play for the Socceroos and if the opportunity comes again then hopefully it comes soon and I take it.”

He was called up for Australia in March, 2023, as a train-on player without debuting but hasn’t featured in a squad since, while he was also overlooked for the Olyroos’ U23 Asian Cup squad this year.

When pressed on whether he could see himself playing for another country if his situation didn’t change, Irankunda said, “Yeah, of course”.

Irankunda played 20 minutes off the bench in the All Stars’ game against a youthful and inexperienced Newcastle outfit with Socceroos coach Graham Arnold watching in the stands.

Irankunda recorded an assist and was blistering down the right wing. Arnold will pick his squad this week for World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.

“I reckon I showed the people at the game what I can do and hopefully Arnie has seen it. If not, then I can’t really say much,” said Irankunda, who was born to Burundian parents in a Tanzanian refugee camp.

Arsenal beat A-League Women in friendly

A slew of Matildas stars featured in the second match of the double header when Arsenal beat the A-League All Stars Women’s side 1-0.

Gunners Australian stars Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross all finished the match unscathed despite the worrying signs of a stretcher coming out for Cooney-Cross late in the second half.

The 22-year-old midfielder was attended to by trainers on the field who stretched her leg out, implicating bad cramps or a dead leg.

Kyra Cooney-Cross of Arsenal is chased by A-League All Stars Women’s Michelle Heyman.Credit: Getty

Teammate Steph Catley joked the moment was simply Cooney-Cross being “dramatic” post-game and gave the assurance she’ll be right for next week’s Matildas’ camp herself after she finished the match with her leg thigh heavily strapped after feeling groin tightness.

While also showcasing Arsenal to a new audience Down Under, Gunners manager Jonas Eidevall said the trip to Melbourne has helped Arsenal players and staff better understand what Cailtin Foord, Steph Catley and Kyra Cooney-Cross go through with the constant travel halfway around the world.

“You think you know jet lag because you’ve travelled to the US a few times but it’s a totally different ball game travelling to Australia,” he said.

“And not just me but for their teammates as well [understand the jet lag better].”

Caitlin Foord of Arsenal and Cortnee Vine of the A-League All Stars contest the ball during the exhibition match.Credit: Getty Images

The Matildas stars travel back and forth between Australia, England and other countries in international windows for national camps and tournaments.

The match also featured a touching farewell to Matildas veteran Lydia Williams, who announced her retirement from professional football earlier this month. The goalkeeper was subbed off just being half-time and received a standing ovation from the crowd.

After 103 caps, five World Cups and six Asian Cups, the 35-year-old will bid farewell to the national team after her third Olympics this year in Paris. While she said the outpouring from fans was “really nice”, so was being chosen for the first Women’s A-Leagues All Stars team.

with AAP

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