Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe on losing side in their Bundesliga debuts

It wasn’t the start to their German Bundesliga careers that a pair of Socceroos were hoping for.

St. Pauli’s Connor Metcalfe (left) is challenged by Heidenheim's Patrick Mainka. Picture: Axel Heimken / AFP

Socceroos midfielders Jackson Irvine and Connor Metcalfe have tasted defeat in their Bundesliga debuts, with their club St. Pauli suffering a 2-0 home loss to Heidenheim.

Hopes were high that St. Pauli would make a winning return to Germany’s top flight after clinching last season’s second division title.

However, second-half goals from Paul Wanner and Jan Schoppner secured Heidenheim an away win on Monday morning (AEST).

St. Pauli captain Irvine played the entire match, while fellow Australian Metcalfe also started before being replaced in the 84th-minute by Elias Saad.

“We missed the chance to beat Heidenheim with the opportunities we had,” a disappointed Irvine said.

“In that respect, they taught us a lesson. There was a lot we did right, until it came to the final pass.

“You only have one chance to play the perfect pass. That can then change the whole game. “We’ve got to learn from that. We dropped points we could have taken today and that hurts.”

The defeat came a day after Irvine signed a contract extension with St, Pauli, the club he joined in 2021 from Scottish club Hibernian.

“We have already achieved a lot together, but now I am ready to give even more as we move into a new and exciting phase of this journey,” the 31-year-old Melbourne product said.

Another Germany-based Socceroo, teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda, scored twice for Bayern Munich’s reserves team in a 4-1 weekend win over Wurzburger Kickers.

Two goals, man of the match and 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 trademark backflip celebration 😍

Nestory Irankunda put on a show for @FCBayernCampus overnight 🪄#Socceroos#AussiesAbroadpic.twitter.com/om6ORdCQlG

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) August 25, 2024

Elsewhere in Europe, 20-year-old Socceroos defender Alessandro Circati continued his promising start to his Italian Serie A career, playing the full match in his club Parma’s 2-1 upset win over AC Milan on Sunday morning (AEST).

Parma coach Fabio Pecchia said: “We didn’t only defend but had the desire to play, to go out and win despite the struggle.

“They are young, I need to exploit the benefit of the youth with their enthusiasm and desire to go out there and play and have fun. We stand behind this skill.”

In England, Australian midfielder Massimo Luongo again started for Ipswich Town in the Tractor Boys’ 4-1 English Premier League weekend loss to Manchester City.

However, Socceroos defender Cameron Burgess was an unused substitute for the second match in a row for Ipswich.

Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan also watched from the bench as his Serie A club Roma lost 2-1 to Empoli.

In Belgium, midfielder Aiden O’Neill continued his push for a recall to Australia’s squad for next month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Bahrain and Indonesia, captaining Standard Liege to a 1-0 win over Beerschot.