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Tag: Perth Glory

  • Hero’s recall amid injury carnage, with Socceroos already in China’s head — Talking Pts

    Hero’s recall amid injury carnage, with Socceroos already in China’s head — Talking Pts

    The biggest moment of the Socceroos 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign has arrived.

    Weren’t we there five days ago? Yep, all of Australia’s remaining three games in the third round are likely to be played with an all-or-nothing undercurrent.

    Next up, China in Hangzhou tonight (10pm AEDT kick off) and once again it is must win.

    PROJECTING CALM WHILE THE STAKES ARE HIGH

    Milos Degenek made his first appearance for the Socceroos in 528 days last week when he was sent on as a second half substitute against Indonesia in Sydney.

    The versatile defender, now with 46 caps to his name, is tailor made to handle the eve of a match like the one that looms against China.

    Usually, a player guaranteed to feature in the game would accompany coach Tony Popovic to the final press conference. Degenek might just be in line for cap number 47 given his presence in-front of a packed media room or maybe he was sent to handle questions about pressure like Roger Federer used to hit a cross-court backhand or Ricky Ponting a pull shot.

    Those who have followed Degenek’s journey in life and football would’ve known what was coming when he was asked about the magnitude of the game. His perspective is shaped by the testing route his family took to even get to Australia in the first place from Croatia. The 30-year-old has told stories of a childhood spent dodging bombs in underground bunkers.

    “I think there’s no pressure. Pressure is something that when you wake up in the morning and you have to provide food for your family; that’s pressure. This is just joy and love,” said Degenek.

    “The fact that we do this, we’re very grateful and we’re very happy to be able to play in games like this that are of very high importance.”

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    The ‘kick up the backside’ behind Socceroo’s revival as European form sparks key WC qualies acts

    Wake-up call sparks forgotten ace’s return; Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires — Talking Pts

    Two-minute, two-goal blitz sparks key win for Socceroos’ World Cup qualifying hopes

    Mitchell Duke of the Socceroos heads the ball against Saudi Arabia.Source: Getty Images

    FITNESS OF THE SQUAD

    Popovic has 25 fit and healthy players to choose from.

    Strikers Adam Taggart (groin) and Kusini Yengi (hamstring) were left behind in Sydney and they’ve since returned to the Perth Glory and Portsmouth in England respectively.

    Mitch Duke was recalled to the squad at short notice after initially missing selection due to a lack of game time and goals at Japanese side Machida Zelvia, while Western Sydney Wanderers forward Brandon Borrello was sent on when Taggart was substituted at half-time against Indonesia.

    Popovic was giving little away when asked about the make-up of his strike force.

    “Mitch has come in. He’s looking good, he looks sharp and well. He’s very accustomed to the Socceroos shirt and what’s required so he’s fitted in easily,” he said.

    “We have options for [tonight] in that striker position and we have some ideas that the players are aware of.”

    SET PIECE PSYCHOLOGY

    The Socceroos scored two goals from corners against Indonesia and in the psychology stakes, defender Cameron Burgess believes that could help Australia before a ball has even been kicked in Hangzhou.

    Australian players had been used to running around the region and using their size and strength to dominate set pieces. The Socceroos scored four set piece goals from six games in the second round of World Cup qualifying. One came in each of the first four outings.

    It has led to a quirk where injured centre back Harry Souttar has the equal fourth most goals of any Socceroo that is still playing professionally. Only Mathew Leckie (14), Jackson Irvine (13) and Mitch Duke (12) have more. The defender is level on 11-goals with Jamie Maclaren. But Australia had only scored one goal from a set piece from its last eight World Cup qualifiers prior to kick off against Indonesia at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night. Lewis Miller and Irvine both nodding home from corners signalled that a key weapon in the side’s arsenal was firing again.

    “If you look across world football, set pieces play a massive part in the game,” said Burgess.

    “They’re a huge weapon and we see it as such, and then you have the psychological factor where, if you’re scoring goals from set-pieces, you’re going up with that extra little thing in the back of your mind that we can score off this and then the opposition feel the same way.”

    The 1.94m Burgess, who plays for Ipswich Town in the Premier League, hopes China was paying attention to the rout of Indonesia and the way Australia cashed in on corners.

    “They’re obviously going to be worried about that I guess and that’s just human nature, that’s the psychological factors in how the game of football works. They’re huge weapons for us and we’ve always seen it that way and that’s something we definitely work on.”

    Craig Goodwin and Cameron Burgess of Australia celebrate a goal by teammate Lewis Miller against Indonesia.Source: Getty Images

    WHAT WILL CHINA BRING TO THE TABLE?

    The last time Australia played China was Popovic’s first match in charge. The new era got off to a shaky start with China scoring first at Adelaide Oval in October. That’s one of just six goals China has scored in seven games as the Socceroos recovered to win 3-1.

    Burgess believes Australia will have to ride out an early onslaught.

    “They came out firing and obviously got the goal as well. They’re a pretty direct team and look to do things quickly,” he said.

    “We’re expecting a fast start. The same as the other night really so we have improvements to make on that and hopefully we can start the game better than we did the other night.”

    The other night Burgess is referring to is the 15-minute period where Indonesia put Australia under immense pressure in Sydney; a period where they could easily have been 2-0 down and on the ropes. The fact the Socceroos recovered to win 5-1 showed maturity and character.

    While this game could follow a similar pattern – China sit in last place in group C and must win to have any hope of securing an automatic qualifying spot to the World Cup next year – Australia’s quality should see them through if they can take their chances like they did against Indonesia. And they will have their chances. China’s opponents have had an average of 13.71 shots per game during the third round and enjoyed 72% of possession.

    “They’re going to be coming out swinging,” said Burgess.

    “They’re playing at home in-front of what looks to be a big crowd as well. Under no illusions it is going to be a difficult task for us. We need to stamp our authority on the game and do what we can do to hurt them as well.”

    TIME FOR BURGESS TO LEAD THE BACKLINE

    Any side would struggle without the giant presence of Harry Souttar, but as the towering Socceroo rehabilitates a ruptured Achilles tendon, the responsibility for organising the central defensive trio is likely to fall on the broad shoulders of Burgess again.

    “I think I put that leadership pressure on myself a little bit anyway,” said Burgess.

    “I’ve been doing that for a number of years. I think it comes with age and experience.”

    Popovic wasn’t happy with Australia’s backline against Indonesia. He felt they “weren’t great,” on edge and “a little bit sloppy.”

    Burgess has struggled for consistent game time at Ipswich this season and while his timing and movement looked a little off initially against Indonesia, he insists he still feels sharp. Burgess’ 11 Premier League appearances have included minutes against Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham and Manchester United to name a few. A similar situation faced good mate Souttar last season, who was limited to four games in all competitions at Leicester but enjoyed the continued confidence of former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold. Burgess is hoping the national team can also offer him refuge.

    “It’s not great not playing. I’d love to be playing every minute of every game as would everyone. However, the one upside is how hard we train there,” said Burgess of life at a top flight club.

    “You get a real buzz because you’re here to play games. When you do get the chance to play it’s a great feeling. So, coming into camp to try and play minutes and help the team you get that adrenaline buzz.”

    Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.Source: Getty Images

    THE STATE OF PLAY

    Australia sits second in group C behind Japan. Three points against China will see them stay there and allow the side to prepare for the final window in June against Japan and Saudi Arabia with confidence.

    The Socceroos are on 10 points with Saudi Arabia on nine and the chasing pack of Indonesia, Bahrain and China on six.

    The reward for finishing first or second in the group is a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

    Third and fourth from each of the three groups progress to the fourth round and will be split into two groups of three. The group winners there also automatically qualify for the expanded 48 team tournament.

    The runners-up of each of those groups advance to the fifth round for a home and away showdown. The winner advances to an inter confederation play-off for the final spot at USA, Canada and Mexico.

    The fourth and fifth rounds are appointments the Socceroos are desperate to avoid.

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  • Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires; wake-up call behind forgotten prodigy’s return: Talking Pts

    Poppa masterstroke as exiled star fires; wake-up call behind forgotten prodigy’s return: Talking Pts

    The Socceroos might’ve finished 5-1 winners against Indonesia in their crucial World Cup qualifier in Sydney and taken a giant step towards automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup in North America, but coach Tony Popovic made it clear there’s still plenty of room for his side to improve describing the performance as “solid but it wasn’t great.”

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    Goals to Martin Boyle, Nishan Velupillay, Lewis Miller and a double from Jackson Irvine send Australia to China with three vital points in the bag and full of confidence, but all too aware that its job half done when it comes to jumping the hurdles this international window presented.

    The mental resilience the side showed to escape unscathed – albeit with some fortune – from a tricky 15-minute opening period is also a sign of growth as is a welcome surge in the way chances were finally converted into goals. This result bloats Australia’s goal difference column too and that could be one less thing to worry about come the final matchday of round three in June.

    It wasn’t all good news though with Martin Boyle and Adam Taggart coming off at halftime. Popovic revealing post-game that both have fitness concerns.

    OMINOUS SIGN BEFORE A BALL WAS KICKED

    A crowd of 35,241 packed into the Sydney Football Stadium and the Indonesian fans not only made their presence felt but had the decibel reader reaching its upper limits.

    The Indonesian national anthem was greeted with full voice by those in red and more than one Socceroos player turned to look at the raucous away end. It did not sound,

    look or feel like a Socceroos home game until the goals started flying in.

    Remarkably, the Team Garuda faithful were still chanting at 5-1 down in the second half.

    “It’s part of football and it’s what we love about it, that teams can come away from home and bring that energy and atmosphere,” midfielder Jackson Irvine said.

    “I thought our fans were equally brilliant and pushed us in the key moments of the game and gave us that extra leg up probably when we needed it.”

    A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES

    Perspective is in the eye of what colour jersey you were wearing.

    The decision to award Indonesia a penalty in the seventh minute after the Brisbane Roar’s Rafael Struick was ruled to have been fouled by the recalled Kye Rowles was

    contentious through an Australians lens, but while it was on the softer side it was the right call.

    Kevin Diks dulled the debate by hitting the woodwork. A sprawling Mat Ryan guessed the right way in any case and might’ve saved it.

    Indonesia coach Patrick Kluivert, in his first match in charge, believed his side struggled to shrug off that setback.

    “If you shoot the penalty in it would be a totally different match of course,” Kluivert said.

    “From that moment we changed something in our minds.

    “We had a grip of the game. I think that we played better than Australia.

    “If you score 1-0, I’m sure it will be a totally different game.”

    10-minutes later Australia was sent to the spot after Nathan Tjoe-A-On pulled off a tackle on Lewis Miller in the box that looked more like something James Tedesco would execute on this ground in a Roosters jersey. Boyle did the honours from the spot.

    The goal helped calm the nerves after the Socceroos were let off the hook just moments prior. The side looked far more settled from that point and Australia led 3-0 at the break thanks to two more goals from Velupillay and Irvine.

    “It’s the hardest I’ve been pressed in a home game in a long time,” Irvine said.

    “There was absolutely no time on the ball in the middle of the park.

    “Once we broke that pressure it looked like we were going to score every time we went through.”

    3-0! Socceroos dominant first half surge | 01:31

    POPPA PULLS THE RIGHT SELECTION CALLS

    This was not an easy squad to pick.

    Six regular starters were missing through injury and Popovic had key calls to make when it came to his starting wingers and striker.

    As Velupillay wheeled away to celebrate with the fans in the 20th minute he had fellow winger Martin Boyle and striker Adam Taggart to thank for the opportunity.

    Boyle’s pass found Taggart whose lunging effort resulted in Velupillay being able to run onto the ball and calmly slot Australia’s second.

    “It’s a special moment for the boy,” Popovic said.

    “Starting your first game, pressure, a stadium that’s full. It doesn’t come bigger than that.

    “When he looks back, he should be really proud of that.”

    This was the first time Boyle had seen minutes under Popovic after failing to get on the pitch in the November window against Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. 14-goals and 9

    assists in 36 games for Hibernian in Scotland made a compelling case for selection.

    Velupillay is working his way back into form after a nasty ankle injury suffered against Saudi Arabia in Melbourne. To start him in a game of this magnitude was bold. Taggart deserved his spot after five goals in his last 11-games for Perth Glory in the A-League but hadn’t even been picked in a squad by Popovic yet before this window.

    For a goal that released the pressure valve in this campaign to be created by two players who’d never featured under this manager and scored by one still not quite at

    top form domestically must be applauded.

    Unfortunately, Taggart and Boyle were both substituted at half time with potential fitness issues. Taggart appeared to feel for his groin multiple times just before the break. Asked if there was anything amiss with both players Popovic said “there could be.”

    “They both had a bit of a niggle, maybe Adam a little bit more than Martin Boyle.”

    “Adam was definitely coming off and Martin was a bit of a precaution.”

    IRVINE GOAL A FULL CIRCLE MOMENT

    Jackson Irvine is the heartbeat of the Socceroos midfield. His goals in the 34th and 90th minutes were the 12th and 13th of his international career and came on the same

    ground where he scored his first ever for Australia in 2017.

    “From a personal point of view a special night,” he said.

    “I never take it for granted being here and I haven’t played in this stadium since that night.”

    THE RETURN OF DANIEL ARZANI

    Arzani replaced Velupillay in the 72nd minute and was greeted by warm applause. It was his first appearance for Australia since a 26-minute spell in a World Cup qualifier

    against Bangladesh in June last year.

    His last minutes prior to that came against Kuwait in a friendly match in 2018. That was just before the anterior cruciate ligament tear on debut at Celtic that would change the trajectory of his then skyrocketing career.

    It took just two minutes for Popovic to call Arzani to the sideline for a chat after his introduction, but generally he worked hard in defence and looked lively in attack.

    All of this after Popovic told Arzani his effort in camp during the October international window last year “wasn’t good enough” and that his “level was really poor in

    training.”

    It appears to have been the wake-up call the 26-year-old – once dubbed the next big thing in Australian football – needed.

    Five months on from that camp and Arzani has impressed his mentor this time around. Popovic does not give out easy minutes even with Australia 4-0 up at the time.

    It was an impressive response from a player who can only enhance the fortunes of himself and his country with similar application.

    Socceroos calm ahead of crucial clashes | 01:56

    STATE OF THE PITCH

    There’d been concerns about the state of the Sydney Football Stadium pitch in the days prior to kick-off and those fears weren’t alleviated once the game got underway.

    Several players lost their footing or looked unsure on the ball. It was not ideal and hampered the fluidity of the game.

    “Tough pitch for the players,” Popovic said.

    “Very hard underneath and slippery on top. The players were in two minds. Half the players wore studs, and half the players had moulds. It was a difficult one for them tonight. It took a lot out of them.”

    MAT RYAN BACK TO HIS BEST ON AN HISTORIC NIGHT

    Lost in the euphoria of scoring five goals was the three incredible saves Mat Ryan pulled off between the sticks.

    On a night where the goalkeeper became the third most capped player in Socceroos history with 97, moving ahead of another former skipper in Lucas Neill and now only

    behind Mark Schwarzer with 109 and Tim Cahill on 108 appearances, Ryan was immense.

    He stopped Jay Idzes’ header from a freekick in the 5th minute, made a superb diving save to his left in the 53rd minute and another clutch reflex save down low to his right

    in the 84th minute.

    “I have to say I’m not surprised after seeing him when he came into camp,” Popovic said.

    “Just a different demeanour and that comes from playing.

    “You can see he’s full of confidence and he showed that when he came in. He was a real presence around the group and tonight he stood tall.”

    The fact the captain was dropped to the bench for the first three games of Popovic’s tenure now seems a distant memory. His move to Lens in France from Roma in Italy

    has been a masterstroke.

    Davidson hoping to re-ignite Roos career | 02:26

    ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AT THE BACK

    Australia’s backline was hardest hit by the current run of injuries between November and March.

    Popovic picked Lewis Miller, Jason Geria, Cameron Burgess, Kye Rowles and Aziz Behich.

    Geria, Burgess and Rowles formed the central trio of that combination, and the coach made it clear there was plenty to work on. Indonesia’s goal was well taken, but the lead-up was scrappy.

    “The goal they scored probably summarised how we defended,” Popovic said.

    “They didn’t create, we gave them chances, we gave them the penalty, we gave them the goal as well.

    “Defensively we weren’t great, we were a little bit on edge, a little bit sloppy in our defending.”

    WHERE ARE THE SOCCEROOS AT WITH PROJECT POPPA AND WHAT’S NEXT?

    Project Poppa is progressing, but it’s far from the finished article. That’s not a bad thing, but just the reality of only being in the job for six-months.

    “I aim quite high,” Popovic said with a smile when asked how far along the side is when it comes to implementing his game style.

    “They’re not where we want to be, but that’s not a negative that’s a positive. They’ve taken strides forward and it’s not easy to do what they did tonight.”

    Popovic pointed to decision making as an area that needs work.

    “How do we identify quicker what is happening on the field?” he said.

    “That will happen with more games together.

    “I felt that this camp or this window of the first game is the first time I’ve felt in training and just around the hotel that this group is now starting to build into something.”

    Now, it’s off to China for their next qualifier on Tuesday night.

    Australia remains second in group C and in control of its own fate when it comes to securing automatic qualification for next year’s World Cup.

    That goal could be a maximum of three games away.

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  • 19yo Aussie striker ‘could’ve had a couple’ in dream English debut. Why Socceroos could be next

    19yo Aussie striker ‘could’ve had a couple’ in dream English debut. Why Socceroos could be next

    Socceroos hopeful Thomas Waddingham produced a Portsmouth debut he’ll never forget after the striker scored for the Championship club.

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    Waddingham, who only completed his transfer to Portsmouth from the Brisbane Roar last week, came off the bench in the 57th minute and slammed one home from close range in the third minute of added time as Pompey slumped to a 5-1 defeat to West Bromwich Albion.

    “I’m really pleased for him,” Portsmouth coach John Mousinho said after the game.

    “For him to come on and make an impact so quickly, I think he’ll be absolutely thrilled.

    “To get a taste of the level as well is probably a really, really important thing.

    “He probably could’ve had a couple and, yeah, he took his goal well.”

    The goal continues the 19-year-old’s incredible rise after he found the back of the net 15 times in 40 appearances for the Roar across the A-League and Australia Cup before Portsmouth came calling. Waddingham, a product of the Roar’s NPL program, only made his debut for Brisbane in August of 2023.

    While it’s still early days for Waddingham in England, the fact the forward was not only included in a matchday squad so soon after his arrival but also got on the field for just over half an hour, speaks volumes about the regard in which he is held at Fratton Park.

    The speed with which the Cairns born product has been thrown into the first team, while still a teenager, is slightly unusual for Australian players making their way to the second-tier Championship.

    If he’s able to continue to feature for Portsmouth it could provide a somewhat unlikely answer to one of the most pressing questions facing Socceroos coach Tony Popovic ahead of two crucial World Cup qualifiers in March against Indonesia and China.

    Popovic lacks depth in the striking role with Kusini Yengi, who is also on the books of Portsmouth, not expected back from a knee injury until late February, 34-year-old Mitch Duke scoring just three-times in 20-games in green and gold since the start of 2023 and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos continuing to struggle with a calf injury after a rich run of form at Motherwell in Scotland. 31-year-old Adam Taggart is trying to make a late run with three goals in his last six games for Perth Glory.

    Even if Yengi is integrated straight back in Portsmouth’s first team following the completion of his rehabilitation, he’ll still be a little short of match fitness ahead of the clash with Patrick Kluivert’s Indonesia in Sydney on March 20. It leaves the door ajar for a new name.

    In an expansive interview with reporters last week Popovic laid bare what it would take for players like Waddingham to thrive after making the move to Europe.

    “Physically the demands are extremely high and what you do one day in training; that’s expected every single day and if you can do that, well then you can make the jump,” Popovic said.

    The Socceroos boss is currently keeping an eye on a talented crop of young strikers, including Archie Goodwin, Jed Drew and Noah Botic, who are turning in impressive performances in the A-League, but Waddingham could pull away from the trio in the pecking order with a big few weeks.

    “Now the question is, in three or four years’ time, can we be watching one of them playing in the bigger leagues in Europe? That is the question,” Popovic said when asked about Goodwin, Drew and Botic.

    “Can they take their game to another level? The level they are at now is not good enough to play in Europe. That’s just the reality.”

    Waddingham has shown his level is good enough to play in Europe and if he can back it up then he would’ve formed a strong case for a call-up to the Socceroos.

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  • ‘F***ing insane’: PL fairytale the real deal as Reds silenced; 10-min disaster rocks City — Wrap

    ‘F***ing insane’: PL fairytale the real deal as Reds silenced; 10-min disaster rocks City — Wrap

    Nottingham Forest’s fairytale Premier League season took another big step on Tuesday when the former European champions secured a draw over league leaders Liverpool at home.

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    Liverpool dominated the night at the City Ground but was still forced to come from behind to settle for a draw after New Zealand striker Chris Wood put Forest in front after eight minutes.

    His strike came against the run of play and took his remarkable season tally to 13 goals in 21 games.

    Forest still dreamt of clinching a miraculous win well into the second half, until Diogo Jota — who had been on the field for just 22 seconds — nodded home for Liverpool from a corner.

    Jota continued to make an impact, and Liverpool kept Forest under siege, but the underdogs escaped with a point to delight the home crowd.

    Liverpool remains six points clear of anyone on the Premier League table.

    The result also keeps Forest in second-place after 21 games, one point ahead of Arsenal, and three ahead of Chelsea, who needed a 95th minute goal from Reece James to save a draw at home to Bournemouth.

    Title rivals Manchester City, meanwhile, missed the major opportunity to close the gap by coughing up a 2-0 lead to Brentford, who stunned the champions late with 82nd and 92nd goals from Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard.

    ‘Calamitous’ Perth Glory own goal | 01:06

    The biggest result of the night, however, belonged to Forest whose redemption in England’s top flight continues to gather steam.

    Their fairytale run has been spearheaded by a career year from striker Wood, the 33-year-old Kiwi who has been among the Premier League’s most prolific goal scorers this season.

    Sky Sports’ Paul Merson noted that the City Ground “erupted” when Wood scored against the run of play.

    “Forest hadn’t been out of their half in the first eight minutes. I cannot believe they are 1-0 up. They had been ripped to shreds,” he noted.

    Clinton Morrison, former Republic of Ireland striker, said on the BBC: “This is why Forest are good. You don’t see them for the first five minutes and then they hit.”

    Forest’s remarkable run of six successive league wins prior to Liverpool’s visit had sparked claims they could emulate Leicester’s fairytale title triumph in 2016.

    This impressive performance suggested that dream should not be completely discounted, even if Liverpool remain firm favourites.

    Earlier this month, Forest marked the 50th anniversary of Brian Clough’s appointment, which triggered the club’s incredible rise from the second tier to English champions in 1978 and European Cup winners in 1979 and 1980.

    – Inspired Sels –

    Back then, Forest and Liverpool were England’s pre-eminent forces, jousting for domestic and continental silverware on a regular basis.

    For the first time since 1979, Liverpool and Forest were meeting with both teams in the top three and the retro feel was palpable on the banks of the River Trent.

    Forest fans, red and white scarves twirling in the raucous atmosphere, had barely finished a stirring pre-match rendition of Mull of Kintyre before their team delivered a statement of intent that could easily have come from the Clough era.

    Forest have proved lethal on the counter-attack this season and they caught Liverpool with a punishing sucker-punch from their first attack in the eighth minute.

    Anthony Elanga’s pin-point pass caught Virgil van Dijk flat-footed as Wood ran in behind the Liverpool defender.

    Keeping his composure, Wood slotted a clinical finish under Alisson Becker. Slot’s men dominated possession after that but struggled to break down a resolute Forest defence well marshalled by Serbian centre-back Nikola Milenkovic.

    Milenkovic and Murillo had stopped Liverpool mustering a shot on target in the first half as Mohamed Salah was held in check.

    Forest and Liverpool battled to a 1-1 draw.Source: AFP

    Liverpool drew level after a rare slip from Nuno’s defence in the 66th minute. Kostas Tsimikas’s corner looped into penalty area and Jota, one of the smallest players on the pitch, was given space to glance his header past Sels from five yards.

    It was an inspired substitution from Slot, who had sent on Jota and Tsimikas just 22 seconds earlier.

    Jota almost struck again, weaving through the Forest defence before Sels made a fine save to deny the Portugal forward.

    Sels produced an even better stop moments later, throwing himself in front of Jota’s powerful close-range strike.

    In a frantic finale, Dominik Szoboszlai’s blast forced another good save from Sels, while Salah’s curler was tipped over by the inspired Forest keeper.

    There was nearly a dramatic winner for Liverpool but Salah’s shot was cleared off the line by Ola Aina before Sels clawed Cody Gakpo’s shot to safety.

    MAN CITY BLOW LATE LEAD AT BRENTFORD, CHELSEA HELD BY BOURNEMOUTH

    Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday, while Chelsea were also held by the same scoreline at home by Bournemouth.

    Phil Foden’s double had City on course for a fourth consecutive win after a run of just one victory in 13 games.

    However, the English champions’ defending was not convincing all night and they were punished as Yoane Wissa and Christian Norgaard struck in the final 10 minutes to earn Brentford a point.

    Foden’s return to the form that saw him crowned Premier League player of the year last season was the one positive for City.

    But Pep Guardiola will reflect on a missed opportunity to make up ground on the top four.

    A point leaves City still down in sixth.

    Manchester City’s upturn came undone as Brentford hit back to draw 2-2 on Tuesday.Source: Getty Images

    Erling Haaland and Savinho struck the woodwork for City either side of half-time.

    However, Brentford were a constant threat on the counter-attack and only a brilliant last ditch tackle from Josko Gvardiol denied Wissa the opener for the home side.

    Moments later, Foden produced a brilliant deft touch from Kevin De Bruyne’s inviting delivery to score for just the third time in the Premier League this season.

    Brentford then saw a host of chances to level come and go before City punished them with a sucker punch.

    Savinho’s powerful effort was parried by Mark Flekken into the path of Foden, who smashed in his fourth goal in five league games.

    Brentford did finally get some reward for their attacking endeavour when Wissa slotted in from Mads Roerslev’s cross to become the club’s all-time leading goalscorer in the Premier League.

    And they completed the comeback in stoppage time when Norgaard’s header had too much power for Stefan Ortega.

    – Reece rescues Chelsea –

    Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser salvaging a point for them against the Cherries.

    Cole Palmer’s cool finish from Nicolas Jackson’s through ball had given Chelsea the perfect start.

    But Bournemouth hit back despite losing both their strikers Evanilson and Enes Unal to long-term injuries.

    Chelsea’s miserable run extended to five league games without a win but they were grateful for captain Reece James’ stoppage-time equaliser.Source: Getty Images

    Justin Kluivert levelled from the penalty spot, before Antoine Semenyo’s blistering near-post effort put the visitors in front.

    James has endured another injury-hit season but showed the quality he possesses by curling home a free-kick at the death.

    West Ham boss Graham Potter enjoyed a winning home debut as Fulham were beaten 3-2 at the London Stadium.

    The Hammers shrugged off an injury crisis in attacking areas to score twice in two first-half minutes.

    Carlos Soler pounced on a wayward pass by Andreas Pereira to sweep in the opener before Tomas Soucek fired in from Aaron Wan Bissaka’s cross.

    Alex Iwobi’s intended cross evaded everyone on its way in at the start of the second half to give Fulham hope.

    Lucas Paqueta restored West Ham’s two-goal cushion to take Potter’s men above Manchester United and Tottenham into 12th.

    Iwobi pulled another goal back for Fulham, but defeat leaves them still in ninth.

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  • ‘New Alex Ferguson’ arrives with shock City rout; rockstar’s surprise commentary gig — CL Wrap

    ‘New Alex Ferguson’ arrives with shock City rout; rockstar’s surprise commentary gig — CL Wrap

    Oasis star Noel Gallagher made a bizarre commentary appearance as his beloved Manchester City went down 4-1 to Sporting CP in Ruben Amorim’s farewell match ahead of taking over at Old Trafford.

    The new Manchester United manager immediately endeared himself to his new fans as his Portuguese side inflicted a third defeat in the space of a week on City to maintain their standing in second position on the Champions League table with ten points from four games.

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    Amorim said pre-game that Red Devils fans might believe that “the new Alex Ferguson has arrived” if his team beat City, and he has poured fuel on the fire that is the Manchester derby.

    LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 05: Ruben Amorim, Head Coach of Sporting CP, is thrown into the air by his players to celebrate his last home match as manager at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 05, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    Pep Guardiola will get his chance for revenge on Amorim in the 39-year-old’s first Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on December 15, but he has glaring issues to fix first.

    Phil Foden opened the scoring for City in the fourth minute and it appeared they were back on track after a shock Premier League loss to Bournemouth at the weekend after being knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham mid-week.

    Lifelong City fan Gallagher was even crowing about how easy things were on the pitch for his side, but almost as soon as the words came out of mouth, Sporting front man Viktor Gyökeres fired home their first goal in the 38th minute.

    From then on despite City dominating possession (73%) and having more than double the amount of shots (20-9), Sporting had all the momentum on the counter and they rolled with it.

    No more than 30 seconds into the second half they grabbed the lead courtesy of a great through ball picking out Maximiliano Araujo who was in on goal and smashed it home.

    Former Brighton striker Gyökeres piled on the pain by slotting two second half penalties to ensure he took home the match ball.

    At the other end, Erling Haaland had a chance to keep the game alive when City were 3-1 down but he blasted his penalty straight into the bar.

    City’s injury issues still persist in defence and it was the first time they had conceded four goals in a Champions League match since Barcelona put four past them in 2016.

    It was a painful return to Portugal for Lisbon-born Silva, who conceded City are mired in a damaging slump.

    “It’s disappointing because we’re a bit in a dark place right now. Everything looks to be going in the wrong way,” he said.

    “Even when we are playing well we don’t score our chances and we concede too easily.

    “We need to get better very quickly otherwise it will be very difficult to come back from these losses.

    “It’s difficult to find reasons for what is happening to us. It just looks like this team is going the wrong way now.

    “Our injured players need to come back because we need them and it’s just not good enough tonight.”

    Mariners salvage draw in AFC CL | 01:03

    Ruthless Liverpool spoil Alonso’s return to Anfield

    Xabi Alonso endured a miserable return to Anfield as Liverpool thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 on Tuesday, thanks to a Luis Diaz hat-trick, to go top of the Champions League table.

    Cody Gakpo was also on target as the Reds maintained their 100 per cent record in Europe after four games.

    Alonso, a Champions League winner during his playing days in the Liverpool midfield, turned his back on succeeding Jurgen Klopp to remain at Leverkusen after leading them to an unbeaten German league and cup double last season.

    Liverpool, though, are not left wondering what might have been as Arne Slot continued his stunning start as manager with a 14th win in 16 games in all competitions.

    Leverkusen remain on seven points from their opening four Champions League matches after another sobering night for their ambitions to match the heights they hit last season.

    Alonso’s men sit fourth in the Bundesliga, seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich, and failed to master what Alonso described pre-match as a “beautiful challenge”.

    Absurd scenes as Fulham pull off heist | 01:02

    The Spaniard cut a frustrated figure on the touchline as his side struggled to get into the slick passing rhythm they have become famed for during his tenure.

    The German champions, though, created the best of what chances there were in a first half short on goalmouth action.

    Jeremie Frimpong saw appeals for a penalty waved away when he went down with a clear sight of goal under a challenge from Kostas Tsimikas.

    Frimpong also had the ball in the net just before the break but handled before racing through to finish.

    Liverpool’s best opening of the half came seconds later when Curtis Jones’ excellent pass finally found some space for Gakpo, but his powerful effort was repelled at his near post by Lukas Hradecky.

    Just like in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Brighton that took Slot’s men to the top of the Premier League, it took until the second half for both Liverpool and the Anfield crowd to come to life.

    Mohamed Salah should have done better when he sliced wide after a jinking run through the Leverkusen midfield by Ryan Gravenberch.

    A cagey tactical battle was sparked into life on the hour mark by a moment of stunning quality.

    ”Ange Postecoglou blew my mind” | 01:18

    Jones spun his marker before splitting the Leverkusen defence with a pinpoint pass for Diaz, who nonchalantly chipped the advancing Hradecky.

    Moments later, Liverpool had killed the visitors off with another flowing move. Salah’s driven cross was headed in at the back post by the flying Gakpo. The linesman raised his flag to momentarily silence the celebrations, but a VAR review showed the Dutch forward was onside for his sixth goal of the season.

    Victor Boniface headed wide with a huge chance to bring Leverkusen immediately back into the game.

    Instead, Liverpool pulled further clear seven minutes from time when Diaz controlled Salah’s looping cross and fired home.

    The Colombian then rounded off the scoring with his ninth of the season in stoppage time with another clinical finish after Darwin Nunez’s blocked shot fell into his path.

    Liverpool’s return of 12 points means they are almost certainly already assured of a place in the knockout phase, but are closing in on sealing direct progression to the last 16 via a top-eight finish in the 36-team league.

    New Man U coach sends warning to City | 01:18

    AC Milan topple Champions League holders Real Madrid

    Champions League holders Real Madrid fell to a 3-1 home defeat by AC Milan on Tuesday in the group stage with striker Kylian Mbappe unable to find the net again.

    The 25-year-old France captain has scored once in his last six matches for Madrid across all competitions, including three losses for Los Blancos.

    Malick Thiaw headed the Italian side ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled from the penalty spot for the hosts.

    Alvaro Morata struck against his former side to restore Milan’s lead before the break and Tijjani Reijnders netted the third to secure Milan’s victory.

    Madrid were unable to bounce back strongly from the 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in late October, their last outing after Saturday’s La Liga match at Valencia was postponed because of devastating floods in the east of Spain.

    ‘Goal of the season’ secures Victory win | 00:57

    Players from both sides wore t-shirts before the match reading “We are all Valencia” while in one stand a giant Valencia regional flag was unfurled for a minute’s silence.

    Carlo Ancelotti, who won the Champions League twice as a player and then twice as a coach with Milan, only made one change from the Clasico humiliation, bringing in Luka Modric for Eduardo Camavinga.

    Madrid may have been keen to set things right in front of their fans at the Santiago Bernabeu but fell behind in the 12th minute.

    Thiaw’s near-post header from a corner flew past the helpless Andriy Lunin to earn the Serie A side the lead.

    Mike Maignan saved from Mbappe at the other end as Madrid hit back, with Vinicius winning a penalty as he fell under a clumsy tackle from Emerson Royal.

    The Brazilian, who finished as runner-up in last week’s Ballon d’Or ceremony in Paris when he had been favourite to win, coolly dispatched it with a cheeky dinked Panenka effort.

    Melbourne City snatch win from Glory | 00:53

    Milan regained the lead in the 39th minute through former Madrid striker Morata, who reacted quickly to fire home after Lunin saved from Rafael Leao.

    Mbappe, yet to find top form in a Madrid shirt since his move from Paris Saint-Germain and particularly frustrated in the Barcelona defeat, broke in again before half-time but Maignan saved his low effort.

    Ancelotti took action at half-time, bringing on Camavinga and Brahim Diaz, and it opened up the second half for an end-to-end affair.

    Lunin made a superb flying save from Leao’s header and the Portuguese forward wasted a couple of opportunities on the break.

    Leao made amends by teeing up Reijnders at the end of a superb solo run to turn home for Milan’s third after 73 minutes.

    Antonio Rudiger smashed home for Madrid after a poor Maignan punch but the goal was disallowed for a tight off-side against the defender.

    Maignan made a fine late save to deny Diaz and it killed any Madrid hopes of a comeback, like in their previous Champions League outing against Borussia Dortmund.

    Madrid have now lost two of their four matches and are in the middle of the table, provisionally 17th, one place above Milan.

    Chelsea spoil Man United homecoming | 00:50

    Other results:

    Slovan Bratislava 1 – 4 Dinamo Zagreb

    PSV 4 – 0 Girona

    Dortmund 1 – 0 SK Sturm Graz

    Celtic 3 – 1 RB Leipzig

    LOSC 1 – 1 Juventus

    Bologna 0 – 1 Monaco

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  • ‘Surprise to me’: Socceroos squad announced as teenage sensation named despite injury scare

    ‘Surprise to me’: Socceroos squad announced as teenage sensation named despite injury scare

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has dismissed concerns about the fitness of teenage star Nestory Irankunda ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night.

    Irankunda was on Friday named in a 24-strong national squad for next week’s clash on the Gold Coast and the September 10 battle with Indonesia in Jakarta, with overseas players to travel to Australia after completing weekend duties around the world.

    However, the 18-year-old winger seemingly sent a midweek scare through the Socceroos camp when he was left screaming in agony and clutching his ankle after being tackled by Joao Palhinha during a training session with their German club Bayern Munich.

    He was transported from the training field in a golf-style buggy but was later seen leaving Bayern’s training complex on foot.

    “I spoke to him yesterday, it was a surprise to me to see that type of article because Nestory didn’t mention to me any type of injury,” Arnold said in playing down the severity of the issue.

    Arnold said he was “excited” about seeing the former Adelaide United star’s improvement when he arrived in camp.

    “Training with those types of players (at Bayern), he’s just going to improve, so I’m really excited to see (his progress) … not only physically but technically as well.”

    Irankunda is among a host of wingers named by Arnold in a squad that also includes other wide men Awer Mabil, Craig Goodwin, Sammy Silvera and Martin Boyle.

    “I have gone for more wingers this time than I did previous times and less number nines (centre-forwards),” Arnold said.

    “In these two games especially we’re going to need that type of (wide) player.”

    The three centre-forwards selected were Mitch Duke, Kusini Yengi and Adam Taggart, who was one of just two A-League players, along with left-back Aziz Behich, named in the squad.

    “Probably they’re not getting selected on form, they’re getting selected on reputation,” Arnold admitted when explaining the decision to choose Perth Glory’s Taggart and Melbourne City’s Behich despite the new A-League season not having started yet.

    “I know what great professionals they are and I know what they can bring,” he said.

    “Those two players can maybe not be at their best fitness-wise but the adrenaline rush will get them through.”

    Among those not selected was Cardiff City midfielder Alex Robertson, who remains eligible for senior football for England, Scotland and Peru despite having played two friendlies for the Socceroos.

    “He’s coming back from a very heavy injury. He hadn’t played a game since January, he’s at Cardiff now and he’s started playing, getting some game time and settled into the club and getting match fit,” said Arnold, who added he would be “disappointed” if Robertson chose to represent another nation in the future.

    “We’ve had him in other camps and he’s had a bit of game time … I’d be disappointed if he wasn’t lining himself up to play for Australia.”

    Socceroos: Keanu Baccus, Aziz Behich, Martin Boyle, Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Deng, Cameron Devlin, Mitchell Duke, Joe Gauci, Craig Goodwin, Nestory Irankunda, Jackson Irvine, Paul Izzo, Awer Mabil, Connor Metcalfe, Lewis Miller, Joshua Nisbet, Aiden O’Neill, Kye Rowles, Mat Ryan, Sam Silvera, Harry Souttar, Adam Taggart, Kusini Yengi.

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  • Teen sensation scores first Socceroos goal as Aussies thrash minnows

    Teen sensation scores first Socceroos goal as Aussies thrash minnows

    Kusini Yengi further enhanced his claims for a permanent spot in the Socceroos’ starting team with a brace in Australia’s 5-0 disposal of Palestine in Perth on Tuesday night.

    The 25-year-old Portsmouth striker scored twice in the first half at HBF Park, where the Socceroos completed the second-round of AFC qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup with a sixth successive win.

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    Yengi has now scored four goals in his past three matches for Australia as he stakes a genuine claim to be the Socceroos’ first-choice centre forward.

    Joining him on the scoresheet in the comprehensive win were Adam Taggart, Martin Boyle and substitute Nestory Irankunda, who netted his first goal for the Socceroos in just his second appearance with a late penalty following a handball offence from Palestine defender Yaser Hamed.

    It was part of a tough night for Hamed, who also gave away a spot kick in the first five minutes to give the Socceroos the early ascendancy.

    However, it was a contentious decision from Saudi Arabian referee Khalid Al-Turais, with Palestine furious after he pointed to the penalty spot following a collision in the box between Hamed and Australian left-back Aziz Behich.

    Irankunda celebrated his first Socceroos goal with a trademark backflip. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

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    With the VNR system not in operation, there was to be no reversing of the decision, with striker Yengi netting the spot kick.

    The Australians doubled their lead in the 26th minute when Perth Glory marksman Taggart scored for the first time in Socceroos colours since 2019 with a clinical finish after being fed by Martin Boyle.

    Taggart’s seventh goal in 20 Socceroos’ appearances was also the first time he had found the back of the net in an international on home soil.

    The Socceroos put the game to bed late in the first half when Yengi scored his second of the night, but there were doubts over the goal, with Boyle, who again provided the assist, appearing to be offside in the build-up.

    Yengi scored twice in the 5-0 rout over Palestine. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

    The rout continued in the second-half, with Boyle rewarded for his good performance with a 53rd-minute goal, scoring from close range after some unselfish play from Taggart, who rather than shoot from a good position, laid the ball into his grateful teammate’s path.

    Bayern Munich-bound Irankunda provided the icing on the cake with his 87th-minute penalty, and celebrated with his customary backflips.

    “It was a good result for the boys and a fantastic performance at home,” Perth product Taggart said.

    “It means a lot to do it here in Perth. I couldn’t be happier.”

    Socceroos coach Graham Arnold made eight changes to the side that start in last Thursday’s 2-0 win over Bangladesh, while Newcastle Jets striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos was given his first Socceroos cap off the bench.

    “It’s (about) the depth that we’ve been creating,” Arnold said.

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  • Bayern-bound teen’s Socceroos call-up confirmed as former whiz-kid earns deserved recall

    Bayern-bound teen’s Socceroos call-up confirmed as former whiz-kid earns deserved recall

    Bayern Munich-bound prodigy Nestory Irankunda is poised to make his Socceroos debut following confirmation of his selection in Australia’s squad for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine.

    National coach Graham Arnold on Wednesday named a 25-man squad, and it included teenage sensation Irankunda, as well as former whiz-kid Daniel Arzani, who hasn’t played for the Socceroos since the 2018 World Cup.

    Arzani, 25, has earnt his recall after helping Melbourne Victory reach the A-League grand final, while Irankunda – who will leave Adelaide United to join German giants Bayern Munich – was part of the A-League All-Stars squad that beat a severely weakened Newcastle United 8-0 last week.

    As revealed by News Corp Australia last week, Socceroos captain and goalkeeper Mat Ryan wasn’t chosen, with Arnold “resting” him.

    Overall, there are 11 changes from the squad that beat Lebanon twice in March.

    Out are Ryan, injured quartet Brandon Borrello, Craig Goodwin, Riley McGree and Tom Glover, as well as defenders Nathaniel Atkinson and Thomas Deng, midfielder Patrick Yazbek, and attackers Bruno Fornaroli, John Iredale and Sammy Silvera.

    Apart from Irankunda and Arzani, coming into the squad are defenders Aziz Behich, Alessandro Circati and Ryan Strain, midfielder Cameron Devlin, uncapped striker Apostolos Stamatelopoulos, wingers Martin Boyle and Mathew Leckie, and goalkeepers Paul Izzo and Lawrence Thomas.

    Uncapped pair Nestory Irankunda (left) and Apostolos Stamatelopoulos have been named in Australia’s 25-man squad for two World Cup qualifying matches next month. Picture: Martin Keep / AFPSource: AFP

    “We’ve got several players who’ve had significant workloads in recent times, and it’s important we give them a proper break,” Arnold said.

    “I want to ensure they’re physically and mentally prepared for another big 12 months of

    qualification.

    “This has also allowed us to provide opportunities to players who have been performing well at their clubs as we continue to build depth right across the pitch.

    “Our leadership group of Jackson (Irvine), Aziz (Behich) Mat (Leckie), Harry (Souttar) and Adam (Taggart) will have an important role to play throughout this camp in welcoming those players, as they demonstrate the core values that are central to the Socceroos’ culture.”

    Despite having already qualified for the third round of the Asian Football Confederation World Cup qualifiers, the Socceroos are desperate to beat Bangladesh in Dhaka next Thursday, and Palestine in Perth on June 11 to give them the best possible chance of being among the three nations in pot one for the round-three draw.

    “I’ve spoken about how important these two games are when it comes to official FIFA rankings, and while we’ve qualified for round three it’s important that we take all six points,” Arnold said.

    “It’s an expectation we set ourselves as a group and as always, getting our mentality right will be crucial to securing two wins and giving ourselves the highest possible ranking ahead of the draw for round three.”

    Socceroos squad: Daniel Arzani (Melbourne Victory), Keanu Baccus (Mansfield Town), Aziz Behich (Al-Nassr), Jordy Bos (KVC Westerlo), Martin Boyle (Hibs), Cameron Burgess (Ipswich Town), Alessandro Circati (Parma), Cameron Devlin (Hearts), Mitchell Duke (Machida Zelvia), Joe Gauci (Aston Villa), Ajdin Hrustic (Heracles Almelo), Nestory Irankunda (Adelaide United/Bayern Munich), Jackson Irvine (St Pauli), Paul Izzo (Melbourne Victory), Gethin Jones (Bolton Wanderers), Mathew Leckie (Melbourne City), Connor Metcalfe (St. Pauli), Josh Nisbet (Central Coast Mariners), Kye Rowles (Hearts), Harry Souttar (Leicester City), Apostolos Stamatelopoulos (Newcastle Jets), Ryan Strain (St Mirren), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Lawrence Thomas (Western Sydney Wanderers), Kusini Yengi (Portsmouth).

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  • ‘Bittersweet moment’: Melbourne City captain Jamie Maclaren to farewell A-League

    ‘Bittersweet moment’: Melbourne City captain Jamie Maclaren to farewell A-League

    An “emotional” Jamie Maclaren will depart the A-League at the end of Melbourne City’s finals campaign, with India mooted as the star striker’s likely destination.

    City announced on Tuesday that Maclaren, the A-League’s all-time leading scorer with 154 goals from 232 appearances, was leaving the club to “pursue an opportunity” outside the A-League.

    Sources have suggested that the 30-year-old marksman is headed for the Indian Super League to accept a deal far more lucrative than what City would have offered him to sign a new contract with the Melbourne club.

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    “It’s a bittersweet moment for me to leave the club that I’ve called home for the past 5½ years,” said Maclaren, who has netted 115 goals in 163 appearances in all competitions for City after joining them in January 2019 following stints in Europe with Darmstadt 98 (Germany) and Hibernian (Scotland).

    “Driving in to (the club) today I was a little bit emotional. It’s been a long time. This place feels like home.

    “(There) are a lot of good memories, (and) a lot of bad ones, but that’s part of being a team and a club that has such high standards.”

    Jamie Maclaren is leaving the A-League. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    Four of Maclaren’s five A-League Golden Boot awards have come during his time with City, where he also was part of three premiership-winning outfits and the club’s 2021 championship-winning squad, although he didn’t play in City’s 3-1 grand final win over Sydney FC due to being in quarantine following Socceroos commitments in Asia.

    He scored in City’s 1-0 weekend win over Western United to ensure the club would again be playing finals football.

    However, the pressure of captaining City this season has seemed to have affected Maclaren, whose 10-goal haul is well below his tallies from recent years.

    The former Perth Glory and Brisbane Roar attacker also lost his Socceroos place this season after not being named in Australia’s squad for the Asian Cup in January-February.

    However, with two goals in his past three club matches, Maclaren has found form ahead of City’s A-League elimination final with arch rivals Melbourne Victory on Sunday at AAMI Park.

    “It’s going to be a cracking game,” he said.

    “We want the crowd to be there and be up and about.”

    City’s director of football Michael Petrillo said Maclaren would leave the club as a “legend”.

    “Jamie embodies everything we stand for as a club,” Petrillo said.

    “He’s been an outstanding footballer for us and an exceptional role model for his teammates and young fans.

    “On the pitch, his name will remain in the record books forever. Not only is he the league’s greatest ever goalscorer, but he also made an enormous contribution to our men’s team during their most successful period.”

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  • Why teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda was left out of Olyroos squad for under-23 Asian Cup

    Why teenage sensation Nestory Irankunda was left out of Olyroos squad for under-23 Asian Cup

    The door remains ajar for Nestory Irankunda to represent Australia at this year’s Olympics despite the “emotional” A-League teenage sensation missing selection for the Paris Games qualifiers for “welfare” reasons.

    Socceroos pair Marco Tilio and Garang Kuol – who were both in Australia’s 2022 World Cup squad – will spearhead the Olyroos’ bid for 2024 Olympics qualification at the AFC under-23 Asian Cup.

    A top-three finish at the April 15-May 3 tournament in Qatar will secure the Olyroos a berth at the Paris Games, while placing fourth will earn them a spot in the AFC-CAF (Africa) playoff match against Guinea for the final Olympics qualification place.

    Bayern Munich-bound Irankunda, who scored a hat-trick for Adelaide United last week, is the most notable omission from the Olyroos’ 23-man squad.

    Nestory Irankunda has missed Olyroos selection for the Paris Games qualifiers. Picture: Mark Brake/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    Olyroos coach Tony Vidmar said he could have been “selfish” by picking Irankunda, but his priority was the 18-year-old winger’s wellbeing.

    “With Nestor, we have to be really mindful,” Vidmar said.

    “He’s just such an emotional player, and what’s happened to him this season, I think he’s on a rollercoaster 24/7.

    “That’s just the way he is. That’s the way it’s gone, and we have to look at the bigger picture.

    “We want Nestor to be a 10-year-plus Socceroo. He’s going to be the future of the national teams, that’s for sure.

    “We just have to be mindful of what we do with him in the national team space. At the moment, we don’t want to damage him.

    “The welfare of the player is No.1. He’s just turned 18, and it’s a big ask for him to come in, (with) all these expectations from people outside.

    “He’s been through so much this year. I’d hate to be in his shoes. He’s just been prodded at. Everyone’s poking at him, everyone wants a piece of him.

    “I understand playing for the national team is a huge thing, I’ve spoken to him about that.

    Marco Tilio (left) and Garang Kuol will lead Australia’s charge for Olympic Games qualification. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

    “He just wants to play football for his club and then get ready for that next part of his journey.”

    It’s a journey that could yet result in Irankunda being selected for the Olympics should Australia qualify.

    “He’s always been in that (Olympics) consideration. He’s always been on our list of players,” Vidmar said.

    “He’s one where after the qualifiers, and when we do qualify for the Olympics, it’ll be again having that discussion, having a chat with him.

    “He likes that, he likes that contact, and he’s been fairly open and honest with me with a lot of things.”

    Apart from Irankunda, a host of eligible players – including Socceroos duo Alessandro Circati (Parma, Italy) Patrick Yazbek (Viking FK, Norway), Nicholas Bilokapic (Peterborough United, England), Calem Nieuwenhof (Hearts, Scotland), Cameron Peupion (Brighton, England), Nectarios Triantis (Hibs, Scotland) – also missed under-23 Asian Cup selection due to their overseas club teams not being obligated to release them, as the tournament does not take place in a FIFA international window.

    “I’ve been open and honest with my disappointment that the Asian Cup falls outside of a FIFA window, but we knew access to players would be a challenge and it’s something we’ve planned for in recent months,” Vidmar said.

    “I just feel for those who’ve not been given the opportunity to join us, as representing your country at any level is something you never forget, and they would have benefited greatly from the experience.”

    Tilio, who has returned to Melbourne City on loan from Celtic, is one of 15 A-League players selected for under-23 Asian Cup duty.

    Kuol, whose older brother Alou is also in the squad, is on loan to Dutch outfit FC Volendam from English Premier League club Newcastle United.

    “Everything we’ve done over the last 12 months has been focused on preparing for the Asian Cup,” Vidmar said.

    “We set clear goals and expectations around what we want to achieve in Doha, and I’ve been really impressed by the way the group has taken ownership of that.

    “There’s a strong desire and belief within this group that I believe will serve us well throughout the challenging moments that an international tournament of this calibre will present.”

    “Our ability to prepare for this, build depth across the squad and foster important connections between our final squad gives me every confidence in this group and what they can achieve in Doha.”

    Olyroos: Patrick Beach (Melbourne City), Lachlan Brook (Western Sydney Wanderers), Cameron Cook (Perth Glory), Jordan Courtney-Perkins (Sydney FC), Louis D’Arrigo (Lechia Gdansk), Jacob Farrell (Central Coast Mariners), Jake Girdwood-Reich (Sydney FC), Steven Hall (Brighton), Jake Hollman (Macarthur FC), Jacob Italiano (Borussia Monchengladbach II), Alou Kuol (Central Coast Mariners), Garang Kuol (FC Volendam), Nicolas Milanovic (Western Sydney Wanderers), Mark Natta (Newcastle Jets), Alexandar Popovic (Gwangju FC), Adrian Segecic (FC Dordrecht), Callum Talbot (Melbourne City), Ryan Teague (Melbourne Victory), Marco Tilio (Melbourne City), Mohamed Toure (Paris FC), Jordi Valadon (Melbourne Victory), Nishan Velupillay (Melbourne Victory), Rhys Youlley (KVC Westerlo).

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