Irankunda back in Australia squad for 'Soccer Ashes' v New Zealand
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - Tottenham Hotspur v Bayern Munich - Seoul World Cup Stadium, Seoul, South Korea - August 3, 2024 Bayern Munich's Nestory Irankunda in action REUTERS/Kim Soo-Hyeon/File Photo
MELBOURNE :Australia's teenage winger Nestory Irankunda has been recalled to the Socceroos for the first time in nearly a year as coach Tony Popovic included seven uncapped players in his squad for the "Soccer Ashes" series against New Zealand.
Irankunda's selection follows a switch to English Championship side Watford after frustration with his progress at Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
The 19-year-old, who was born in a Tanzanian refugee camp to Burundian parents, made his Australia debut under former coach Graham Arnold last year but was overlooked by Popovic in the last three international windows.
"I think since that time, we've probably seen him mature as a player," Popovic told reporters in Canberra on Friday.
"He's had a year in Europe which is a great experience for a young player ... We know he certainly has talent and he's young.
"He's still maturing and getting better. And we hope to see him in two, three, four World Cups to come."
Popovic gave Europe-based forwards Noah Botic (Austria Vienna) and Nicolas Milanovic (Aberdeen) their first senior international call-ups, along with midfielders Adrian Segecic (Portsmouth) and Anthony Kalik (Hajduk Split), in the 25-man squad released on Friday.
They join uncapped midfielder Max Balard and goalkeepers Tom Glover and Paul Izzo.
Long-serving stopper, and former captain Mat Ryan was omitted, though, days after signing a new short-term club deal with LaLiga side Levante.
Ryan made his 100th appearance for the Socceroos in June as they sealed qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
Popovic said 33-year-old Ryan had not played enough to earn selection since leaving French club Lens in May but expected him back in his squad soon.
Team captain, midfielder Jackson Irvine, was omitted while continuing rehab after foot surgery.
Jordan Bos, Ajdin Hrustic, Fran Karacic, Hayden Matthews and Sam Silvera earned recalls for the two-friendly series against the All Whites starting in Canberra on September 5.
The second match of the "Ashes", inspired by the cricket contest between Australia and England, is in Auckland on September 9.
Australia squad:
Goalkeepers - Joe Gauci, Tom Glover, Paul Izzo
Defenders - Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Milos Degenek, Fran Karacic, Hayden Matthews, Lewis Miller, Kye Rowles, Jordan Bos
Midfielders - Max Balard, Ajdin Hrustic, Anthony Kalik, Connor Metcalfe, Aiden O’Neill, Adrian Segecic, Ryan Teague, Patrick Yazbek
Forwards - Noah Botic, Martin Boyle, Nestory Irankunda, Nicolas Milanovic, Samuel Silvera, Mohamed Toure
