Nestory Irankunda to make Socceroos debut against Bangladesh

After hinting that he might switch international allegiances if not called up by Australia this window, Nestory Irankunda is set to make his Socceroos debut this Thursday night against Bangladesh. Australia boss Graham Arnold revealed this and his plans for Irankunda in the match earlier this week.  

Irankunda to be given free reign 

Nestory Irankunda is the most-talked about name on Graham Arnold’s current Socceroos squad. The 60-year-old manager was asked about his young star at training this week.  
 
“He’s been very good. He’s hanging around a lot of the senior boys which is good to see, and he’s been training very, very well,” Arnold said. 
 
“I'm excited and happy that everyone is talking about the kid. He is a great talent but it’s not always just about talent. It’s also about where your career is going. 
 
“He’s going to Bayern Munich, but it’s also about how much hard work he puts in, and how much belief he has in himself to go to that next level.” 
 
When asked about what to expect from Irankunda in his first match against Bangladesh on Thursday night, Arnold revealed that the 18-year-old will be able to play without pressure on him.  
“I’m not going to try and control him and get him to do things that are not his specialty,” Arnold said.  
 
“What he’s very, very good at is doing what Nestor does and we will fit that into our style of play, and also in our system. 
 
“There’s just a couple of little things around his defensive side of things, but that’s why we need the senior boys on the field, some of them to help coach and lead those younger boys to make them feel comfortable on the pitch.” 

Bayern-bound Irankunda expected to deliver 

The soccer betting market for Bangladesh vs. Australia is about as small as you would expect. The Socceroos are expected to dominate the match.  
 
Most Australian betting sites have suspended the major markets, but you can still find some player goal scoring props and handicap bets. One market we know everyone is looking at is Nestory Irankunda to score.  
 
Hype for Irankunda’s debut is absolutely through the roof. The 18-year-old agreed to a deal to join Bayern Munich last November. Since then, he has been tearing up the A-League and was even named an All-Star this season.  
 
Irankunda will officially join Bayern Munich on July 1, 2024, when the Germany transfer window opens. 

Following the match against Bangladesh on Thursday night in Dhaka, the Socceroos will host Palestine at HBF Park on Tuesday, June 11. Australia have already qualified for the next round, so this match will likely be another on where young players like Irankunda will be given time to bed in with the national team.