TOWNSVILLE, Queensland - After his stunning free kick almost delivered the Socceroos a famous win against Brazil, Socceroos coach Tony Popovic says that Nestory Irankunda is only going to get better. In fact, he feels that the winger, as well as several other youngsters that secured post- World Cup moves, has already improved since the tournament.
Irankunda stole the limelight from the likes of VinÃcius Júnior, Raphinha, and Bruno Guimarães in the Socceroos 1-1 draw with the Seleção on Friday; Rayan's equaliser with the last touch of the game sparing Brazilian blushes over what would have been a rare defeat to Australia.
Stepping up after Paul Okon-Engstler won a free kick, the Sporting winger perfectly deposited his attempt over the Brazilian wall and beyond keeper Hugo Souza, almost instantly going viral around the world for the audaciousness of the strike and subsequent backflip celebration.
"I was trying to help Junior [Okon-Engstler] up," Irankunda grinned post-game. "I told Junior to get up so I can take the free kick. And then, obviously, what came after that came. Super happy with the goal."
- As it happened: Irankunda stunner not enough to earn Australia win over Brazil
After starting three of the Socceroos games at the FIFA World Cup and becoming the youngest Australian man to ever net at the global showpiece, Irankunda sealed a move from Watford to Portuguese powers Sporting in the offseason on a deal reported to be worth up to £17m ($AUD 32.4m).
Initially making four appearances off the bench, he got his first start for his new side in the final game before the international window - a 2-2 draw with FC Arouca - and was an unused substitute in their opening UEFA Champions League fixture against Galatasaray.
With the likes of Geny Catamo and Luis Suárez on the books at the Estádio José Alvalade, minutes were always going to be well-earned in his new home but, according to his national team coach, that elite environment has already had an effect on Irankunda.
"He's moved to a bigger club [and] there's a clear difference in Nestor already; he's matured so quickly in a short space of time, in terms of what's expected at Sporting," Popovic said post-game. "What he's learning is that the transfer is one part. Now you go to a new club. They don't give you minutes. They don't guarantee you minutes. They give you nothing. You have to earn everything. That's what we want with the Socceroos. Names don't just get a starting spot.
"He delivered today. Played very well. And he'll only get better. He's a young kid. I expect at the next World Cup - hopefully he gets a lot of minutes at a bigger club - [there] to be a big improvement.
"[He's] just a wonderful person. Nothing's changed for us in how we feel about him and how we are together. But you can just imagine when he's 24 or 28, if he can stay fit and play and play and play, and just keep getting better physically, and now he's understanding the game.
"Sporting is doing a good job with him, tactically, helping him understand a lot of situations on the field that are non-negotiable. And a lot of that is work rate. A lot of that is getting your position. And he's understanding that. But it's normal. It's evolution. You're 20 years old; he's well ahead of where I expect him to be right now."
Irankunda, for his part, is relishing his new environment, but was also quick to credit Popovic for the role that he has played.
"He deserves the credit," Irankunda said of the Socceroo coach. "He's pushed me. He's trying to help me become a better player and be the best player that I can possibly be. Sometimes he's hard on me, which is fine with me, as long as I know that he has good intentions. Super happy that he's proud of me and that he still wants to help me out."
Irankunda, however, isn't the only young member of the Socceroo squad that was able to parlay the World Cup into a move abroad.
Since the penalty shootout loss to Egypt, Patrick Beach traded Melbourne City for Ligue 1 side Troyes, while Okon-Englster went from Sydney FC to FC Cologne, Alessandro Ciracti moved from Parma to Benfica, and Lucas Herrington transferred from the Colorado Rapids to Hull City and the Premier League.
"[Herrington has] improved," said Popovic. "There's no doubt. We've seen a big change in just a few months. That comes from the training, the level of training, how high that would be on a daily basis, and the competition that he's playing in.
"We've seen a change in Ale [Circati]. You have a look at Ale, even physically, he looks different. He's gone to a big club with big expectations. We've got that now with Patrick, we've got that now with young Pauly. We've got that now with Nestor.
"There's a difference. They've grown from the World Cup in terms of confidence. They've gone to new clubs where the expectation goes even higher. Their understanding of the game is certainly improving."
Now well-established in Europe, Irankunda said he was pleased to see so many of his teammates securing moves of their own but reiterated, as only he could, that the real hard work starts now.
"It's good to see all the boys moving from the A-League to Europe. My biggest thing is for the players to stay there, just thug it out instead of coming back to the A-League and then starting all over again. It's up to them at the end of the day. But we wanna see more Australian players in Europe."
