Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda has been left out of Australia’s squad for this month’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to allow him to “settle” at his German club Bayern Munich.
Irankunda’s omission and the ongoing non-selection of classy midfielder Alex Robertson were among the talking points after Friday’s announcement of the Socceroos 26-man squad.
It’s a contingent that includes new faces in uncapped trio Max Balard, Anthony Caceres and Hayden Matthews, as well as returning attackers Martin Boyle, Brandon Borrello and Kusini Yengi, and veteran defenders Milos Degenek and Rhyan Grant.
Apart from Irankunda, also left out from the squad named for last month’s games against China and Japan were attacking weapons Daniel Arzani, Apostolos Stamatelopoulos and Sam Silvera, midfielders Luke Brattan, Keanu Baccus and Gianni Stensness, and defender Thomas Deng.
“We just feel it’s an opportunity for him to settle in at Bayern, get the development that he needs there, the growth and (for him to) just settle into a new culture (and) a new language,” Popovic said in explaining 18-year-old Irankunda’s omission.
“He’s learning to be a good young professional at one of the best clubs in the world. It’s a fantastic opportunity. We’re all proud of him, we’ll monitor him and support him and hopefully watch him grow for the next phase.
“Hopefully this will help him grow and settle, and we still hope we that we see his potential moving forward for the national team.”
Cardiff City’s Robertson has played two friendlies for the Socceroos but isn’t yet tied to Australia.
Through family and residence, Robertson is also able to represent Scotland, Peru and England, and it seems he’s yet to decide which nation he will commit to.
“If he wants to make himself available for the Socceroos then we can look at whether we select him,” Popovic said.
“You have to respect the honour of playing for the Socceroos, (but) you also have to respect the fact that everyone can make their own choice with their decisions.
“Right now his decision is not to make himself available, (but) that does not mean he would have been selected (had he been available) – let’s make that clear as well.”
Sydney FC trio Grant, Caceres and Matthews, Wanderers forward Borrello, Melbourne Victory duo Nishan Velupillay and Jason Geria, and Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich make up the seven-strong A-League contingent in the squad for next Thursday’s battle with Saudi Arabia in Melbourne and the November 20 (AEDT) clash with Bahrain in Riffa.
“Rhyan Grant plays in a position (right-back) where … we don’t have enough or a lot of experience. I’ve known him for a very long time … and he’s had a wonderful career with Sydney FC, also a Socceroos career, and I don’t believe that the doors closed for anyone, whether they are young or whether they are an experienced player,” Popovic said.
“Caceres has been a player that I’ve admired for a very long time. He deserves his chance, and they (Sydney) have a young 20-year-old (Matthews) that I believe has a lot of potential, and it’s a chance for us to see him in camp.”
Popovic had also been impressed with the form of ex-Central Coast Mariners midfielder Max Balard at Dutch club NAC Breda.
“We always knew he had great potential and he did a wonderful job at Central Coast. It’s another step up when you go to Europe,” Popovic said.
“He’s playing regularly. He’s a young player. He’s had some very good performances this year. In the last month, his game has become even more consistent, more balanced in his play with and without the ball, and he’s one that gets an opportunity in this camp.”
Socceroos squad: Max Balard, Aziz Behich, Brandon Borrello, Jordy Bos, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Anthony Caceres, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Jason Geria, Craig Goodwin, Rhyan Grant, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Hayden Matthews, Riley McGree, Lewis Miller, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Harry Souttar, Nishan Velupillay, Patrick Yazbek, Kusini Yengi.
