The change Socceroos boss sees in recalled Irankunda
George Clarke |
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has praised the maturity of Nestory Irankunda as the wonderkid looks to continue his red-hot start to life in England in his first Australian appearance in close to a year.
Irankunda hasn’t been called up by Popovic since last October with the Australia coach conceding the 19-year-old had work to do to become a Socceroos regular.
But the former Adelaide United winger has won his way back into the national team set-up in a largely experimental squad that will take on New Zealand in a friendly in Canberra on Friday.
Irankunda’s recall follows some strong early season form for Watford in the English Championship where he has scored two goals and registered one assist in four games.
“He got a great move to Watford and he has started well, he’s a young man, so there’s still so much more that he has to improve and get better,” Popovic said.
“Certainly I’ve seen a change in 11-odd months in terms of maturity as well.
“I’m sure next year and in two or three years time you’ll see a difference again.”
Irankunda was loaned out by Bayern Munich to Swiss side Grasshopper in January before sealing a switch to Watford in July.
“You’re by yourself, so you have to grow up quickly,” Popovic said.
“I’ve only had him in one camp, and he wasn’t bad at all in that camp, we just felt that it was better to monitor him for a while and just see how he can progress in his club.
“That’s not to say that he’ll be back in every camp from now on, either, but I can see there’s a change in discipline and focus.
“(His) understanding of the game is probably the biggest part that he has improved. He understands tactically and when you speak to him now, it makes sense.”
Irankunda forms part of an exciting young, attacking-minded Socceroos squad that includes Mohamed Toure, Nicolas Milanovic and Noah Botic.
Former Sydney FC playmaker Adrian Segecic is also in line for his first minutes in Australian colours after previously hinting he may change allegiance to Croatia.
Popovic, however, appears to have lost former Central Coast Mariners star Nectar Triantis, who after being part of the Socceroos set-up in March, has now elected to play for Greece.
The Australia coach said he had no personal issues with Triantis and respected the Minnesota United midfielder’s decision.
“He’s chosen to go down a certain path, that was his choice, not ours,” Popovic said.
“We selected him for the Socceroos. He was in camp with us in a crucial qualifying period in March – that’s one step to getting into the Socceroos, the next step is to play.
“We shouldn’t feel that we need to play someone because we’re threatened by the thought that they may go if we don’t play them.
“As a coach, I’d lose respect from the other players.”
AAP
