Axe Nestory Irankunda: Socceroos talent should be dropped for Egypt World Cup game

What a talent Nestory Irankunda is and what a player he is going to be for Australia.

But Socceroos coach Tony Popovic needs to make the hard decision to drop Irankunda for the World Cup round-of-32 match versus Egypt.

It’s not that Irankunda necessarily performed poorly as a central striker against Paraguay, where he held the ball up well and battled hard versus his South American opponents.

But we simply cannot see his best attributes in that central role — which are running at defenders and getting powerful shots off in space.

MORE: ALL NIGHT — Socceroos fans handed pubs bonanza for World Cup match vs. Egypt

If Irankunda plays as a central striker, particularly against teams who aren’t going to press Australia like Paraguay and Egypt, he is mainly going to be getting the ball with his back to goal.

This is the least dangerous position you ever want Irankunda in.

And when the likes of Jordy Bos and Cristian Volpato found space to whip a cross into the penalty area, Irankunda versus imposing central defenders is an incredibly hard target to pick out.

Mohamed Toure or possibly even Tete Yengi must start for the Socceroos as a focal point against Egypt, with the likelihood Australia enjoy some decent possession in front around the penalty box.

Both Toure and Yengi have the physicality to duel with central defenders but also get into dangerous positions when Australia is set to cross the ball into the penalty area.

It is possible that Irankunda could start as one of the wide attackers behind the striker, but Volpato has shown his class during the tournament so far and Connor Metcalfe’s all-round ability and grift is crucial to the system.

With Bos and Aziz Behich providing the attack down each wing, the need for Irankunda to provide in that area is dulled further.

Even if Irankunda is left out of the starting lineup, there will certainly be a role for him in the second half, hopefully to consolidate a lead against tiring Egyptian defenders or help get a goal back if the game is not going Australia’s way.

There is no doubt Irankunda is already a star of Australian football, but as he continues to refine his attacking play, consistency and impact on games, there is a strong case for him to be left out against Egypt.

If Australia get past the North Africans, Irankunda will be fully in the frame to start a last 16 game — likely against Argentina — with the counter-attack element of the match likely to suit his current style.

Axe Nestory Irankunda: Socceroos talent should be dropped for Egypt World Cup game

Comments