Nestory Irankunda intent on making a splash for the Socceroos in his home state

Former A-League prodigy Nestory Irankunda has added incentive to star for the Socceroos against China.

The rare chance to play for the Socceroos in South Australia has teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda desperate for game time against China at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

Irankunda, 18, admitted that since finding out in July that the Socceroos would play a match in Adelaide for the first time since 2017, he had worked that extra “bit harder” on the training paddock with his German club Bayern Munich to ensure he would not miss the opportunity to represent his nation in his home state.

“It’s a dream come true to have a (Socceroos) game in Adelaide after seven years,” the former Adelaide United prodigy said.

“After it got announced that there was going to be a game in Adelaide, I reckon I started working a bit harder on the training ground, trying to get some goals with my team back in Germany, just trying to perform so I could get the chance to be here.

“It’s going to be great and a really happy moment for me and my family.

“I got to see my mum (on Monday), I got to see my siblings as well – the whole family. It’s really good.

“Hopefully, it’ll be a great game with a great atmosphere. Hopefully, we’ll be here a bit more often.”

Back in Adelaide and this time as a #Socceroo 😍

🇦🇺 v 🇨🇳 - 10.10.24, 8pm AEDT
🎟️ Get Tickets: https://t.co/obIzfVtMW2#Socceroos#SeeSouthAustraliapic.twitter.com/5grZAIIHSn

— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) October 9, 2024

The Socceroos are in urgent need of a win on Thursday night to get their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign back on track after two disappointing performances last month in losing 1-0 to Bahrain on the Gold Coast and drawing 0-0 with Indonesia in Jakarta.

Irankunda featured in both matches, coming off the bench against Bahrain before being elevated to the starting side by then Socceroos coach Graham Arnold for the scoreless contest with Indonesia.

After the game in Jakarta, Irankunda – who hit the post with a sizzling strike – said he would return to Germany intent on working on “new things” and improving so he could “start dominating” for the Socceroos.

The electrifying winger this week said he had enjoyed the “high intensity” of Popovic’s training sessions.

“It’s very nice to be here,” said Irankunda, who is among a host of South Australians in the 26-man squad, the others being goalkeepers Joe Gauci and Paul Izzo, attackers Craig Goodwin and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, midfielder Riley McGree and defender Thomas Deng.

“It shows you the talent we have in South Australia,” said Deng, who plays his club football in Japan for Albirex Niigata.

“The football community here, everyone, plays football the right way. It’s always refreshing to see boys from Adelaide in (Socceroos) camp,”

FIFA World Cup qualifier

Australia v Bahrain

Thursday, Adelaide Oval, 7.30pm (ACDT), 8pm (AEDT)

Originally published as Nestory Irankunda intent on making a splash for the Socceroos in his home state