Local news:
Teen sensation Nestory Irankunda has been left out of the latest Socceroos squad to allow him to settle and develop at Bayern Munich, says coach Tony Popovic.
Irankunda’s omission for World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia next Thursday at AAMI Park and Bahrain four days later in Riffa was one of the bigger surprises of Popovic’s squad announcement on Friday.
The 18-year-old had been in the past three Socceroos squads.
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“Just a selection decision,” Popovic said.
“He’s a young man with a lot of potential, signed at one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“We just feel it’s an opportunity for him to settle in at Bayern, get the development that he needs there and the growth, and just settle into a new culture, new country, new language.
“And hopefully this will help him grow and settle and we still hope that we really see his potential moving forward for him in the national team in the years to come.”
Popovic, who didn’t speak to the 18-year-old directly, said there were no off-field reasons for Irankunda’s omission, one of eight changes to the squad.
He stressed most development would happen at his club, not in the national team environment.
“We’re here to support in any way we can, whether that’s on the field or off the field,” Popovic said.
“I’m sure he has a lot of support with family. We as an organisation, have and will continue to support him.
“But he’s 18, and I’ve got children as well that are around that age, so I know what they go through, and we’re here to support in any way we can in terms of helping him understand what it takes to be at the highest level.
“But I think he’s in very good hands at Bayern.”
Sydney FC right-back Rhyan Grant has been handed an unexpected international career lifeline
Sydney skipper Grant, 33, hasn’t played since Australia’s qualifying loss to Japan back in 2021 and last year told AAP of his international career: “I think that ship has sailed”.
But he will join Sky Blues midfielder Anthony Caceres, who could earn his first cap at 32, and 20-year-old defender Hayden Matthews, who has been called up for the first time, in camp.
Former Central Coast midfielder Max Balard’s stellar form with Dutch Eredivisie club NAC Breda has been rewarded with his first call-up.
Serbia-based defender Milos Degenek (FK Crvena Zvezda) could play his first Socceroos game since October 2023 following a rough injury run.
Hibernian attacker Martin Boyle returns after wrist surgery along with striker Kusini Yengi, who was suspended for the last window then injured at club Portsmouth.
Western Sydney Wanderers striker Brandon Borrello has been rewarded after notching two goals and two assists in his first three A-League Men games.
Second-placed Australia are on five points, five points behind Group C leaders Japan, and ahead of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain on goal difference, with the top two teams qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Craig Goodwin, who is suspended for next Thursday’s game against the Saudis at AAMI Park, looms as a key player against Bahrain in Riffa (Wednesday morning AEDT).
“We’re in the early stages of this journey as a group and we’ll continue to implement the style of play that will be the foundation of our success throughout this cycle,” Popovic said.
“It’s an important series of fixtures and we’re looking forward to finishing off the year on the right note, and equally, putting on a strong performance for the people of Melbourne who have shown us such great support in recent years.”
Luke Brattan, Sammy Silvera, Thomas Deng, Daniel Arzani and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos also miss out, while Gianni Stensness is injured.
Massimo Luongo, who is yet to play minutes after an ankle injury, isn’t back, nor is the injured Connor Metcalfe.
AUSTRALIA’S SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Maty Ryan, Joe Gauci, Paul Izzo.
Defenders: Aziz Behich, Jordy Bos, Cameron Burgess, Milos Degenek, Jason Geria, Rhyan Grant, Hayden Matthews, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Harry Souttar
Midfielders: Max Balard, Anthony Caceres, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Riley McGree, Aiden O’Neill, Patrick Yazbek
Forwards: Brandon Borrello, Martin Boyle, Mitchell Duke, Craig Goodwin, Nishan Velupillay, Kusini Yengi.
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