Nestory Irankunda keen for further improvement ahead of Australia’s matches against China and Japan

It was only the woodwork that denied teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda a memorable goal for the Socceroos against Indonesia.

Nestory Irankunda will return to Bayern Munich intent on adding more strings to his bow in the hope of “dominating” future games for the Socceroos.

While disappointed with Australia’s 0-0 draw against Indonesia in Tuesday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier in Jakarta, the 18-year-old attacker was happy with his own performance in just his fourth appearance for the national team.

Recalled to the starting side, Irankunda was used alongside the experienced Mitch Duke in a central attacking role before being replaced in the 59th minute by winger Awer Mabil.

“I was unlucky to get subbed off a bit early but that’s just how football is,” the former A-League prodigy said.

“I’m really happy with my performance, honestly.”

A threat on both sides of the ball 😤

Nestory Irankunda unlucky not to score before showing great defensive desperation to halt the counter-attack in its tracks. 💨

🎥 @ParamountPlusAU#IDNvAUS#Socceroos🚧💨 pic.twitter.com/69ANf4WuGN

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) September 10, 2024

The highlight of Irankunda’s display was a lethal first-half strike from distance that hit the post.

“I was just a bit unlucky. I hit it perfectly. It was just 1cm away,” he said.

“I had my chances and created chances as well.

“It was our game all along. We should have won it. We had our chances in the first half and second half but we should have put them away in the first half.

“We just got unlucky but we still had the fight and we tried our best to try to win the game still.”

Irankunda insisted there was no panic in the Socceroos camp despite Australian having picked up just one point from two matches in the current round of AFC qualifiers.

“We were dominating the whole game. They got lucky with their counter-attacks but we still defended them well,” he said.

“They did give us some trouble but we kept our heads and we still had the fight. One point is OK but we would have liked to get three.

“That happens in football but we go again in the next round.”

Irankunda again looms as a key part of Australia’s plans for next month’s qualifiers against China and Japan.

“Hopefully, I can go back to Germany, work on my craft, work on some new things and try to improve so I can come back and start dominating this group,” he said.