Nestory Irankunda netted a brace as the Socceroos farewelled Australia ahead of the FIFA World Cup in style with a 5-1 thrashing of Curacao in Melbourne on Tuesday night.
In the Australians’ final match on home soil before the June-July World Cup, the Socceroos ran riot in the final 25 minutes at AAMI Park, scoring four goals to well and truly stamp their authority on the contest.
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With the game in the balance at 1-1, the introduction of Irankunda, Jordy Bos and Riley McGree changed the game, with all heavily involved in Australia’s fast finish.
Star wing-back Bos also found the back of the net, while defender Alessandro Circati and attacker Awer Mabil also scored on a memorable night for the Australians.
Irankunda netted the Socceroos’ fourth and fifth goals, with his celebrations included a silver-gloved Michael Jackson-style dance as well as his customary backflips.
Socceroos captain Mat Ryan said the whole squad was doing their best to push for World Cup selection
“There are a lot of prizes at stake individually and collectively, and everyone’s trying to put their best foot forward in order to warrant their selection come the World Cup in a couple of months time,” Ryan told Network 10.
The Socceroos scored with their first chance of the match in the 23rd minute.
Having won possession deep in Curacao’s half, former Melbourne City star Kai Trewin – who started in the right wing-back position – played a square ball into the path of Deni Juric.
Striker Juric then flicked the ball into the path of Mabil, who scored with the outside of his right boot.
It was Mabil’s first goal for the Socceroos since March 2023 and his 10th overall for the national team.
Curacao had a good chance to equalise 10 minutes later after a fine pass from captain Leandro Bacuna found teammate Jeremy Antonisse.
However, goalkeeper Ryan came to Australia’s rescue with a sharp save down to his left to deny Antonisse.
Mabil had a chance to double the Socceroos’ lead in the 43rd minute after being found beyond the far post by a cross from Ajdin Hrustic.
However, Mabil’s volley from a tight angle hit the post.
Unfortunately for Hrustic, he damaged his hamstring in the build-up and didn’t reappear for the second-half.
Curacao stunned the Australians with an equaliser five minutes into the second-half.
It was a long ball that brought the Socceroos unstuck.
The ball eventually fell for substitute Arjany Martha, who outpaced defender Kye Rowles before sliding the ball under Ryan.
However, Circati’s goal in the 67th minute, from a McGree cross, restored Australia’s lead with Bos and Irankunda then providing the icing on the cake to ensure the Socceroos clinched the Australian leg of the FIFA Series.
Five changes
Socceroos coach Tony Popovic made five changes to the team that started in last Friday’s 1-0 win over Cameroon.
Trewin and Aziz Behich came in for wing-backs Jacob Italiano and Bos, Kye Rowles replaced Jason Geria in the heart of Australia’s defence, and attacking weapons Hrustic and Mabil started in place of McGree and Martin Boyle.
Geria was also among the players to come on, as was Alex Robertson. However, uncapped striker Ante Suto didn’t get an opportunity.
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