The A-League Men competition continues to supply a steady stream of young, talented and Socceroo-bound players.
Noah Botic has begun scoring in fine style at Western United, Jordan Bos’ trajectory appears likely to bring representation in the near future and the under-20s squad, so unluckily knocked out of the Asian Cup on Saturday night, featured a host of young men cutting their teeth in the domestic league.
When that pool of players is added to the young men recently granted opportunity abroad, names like Lachlan Brook, Lewis Miller and Tass Mourdoukoutas, the future for the Socceroos looks promising.
Along with an impressive list of young and already capped Aussies that includes Kye Rowles, Keanu Baccus, Nathaniel Atkinson, Garang Kuol, Joel King and Cameron Devlin, coach Graham Arnold will have plenty of talent with which to work over the next phase of World Cup qualification.
Of course, with such a passionate desire for the team to continue to develop under Arnold and have another successful tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, much expectation has been placed on certain players.
Kuol’s Newcastle United move was immense, yet perhaps required much tempering for the naïve few who expected to see the young Aussie thrust into Premier League play immediately.
It was a similar level of unfair expectation to that placed on the shoulders of Daniel Arzani, who left Australia in 2018 as a teenager, before injury and limited opportunity eventually saw him return to the A-League to resettle and start all over again.
Sometimes it is hard to believe that Arzani has just turned 24.
Daniel Arzani during his time with Melbourne City. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Now, the teenager creating headline after headline is Nestory Irankunda, the Tanzania-born Adelaide United player that coach Carl Veart uses from the bench in the most effective of ways.
Irankunda was at it again on Saturday night, scoring in the 65th minute to ice the Reds’ win over the Jets.
He already has seven A-League goals to his name after just 26 matches and at the current rate, would have somewhere near 40 by the time he reaches his 20s.
That is a frightful thought for opposition teams, especially considering that such a number would place Irankunda somewhere near the top 20 all-time A-League scorers before he had even entered his third decade!
Physically, Irankunda is more mature and powerful than the average A-League teenageer. His explosive power off the mark, speed across the surface and ability to maintain balance on the run, while also creating considerable power, are simply not gifts granted to the average professional footballer.
His threshold is unknown and another two seasons under his legs with wise counsel from players like Socceroo Craig Goodwin in Adelaide could well be the best preparation for what we hope will one day be a long and profitable international career.
However, the local game had best enjoy his presence while it lasts, as the chances of the 17-year-old being in Australia and playing football when he is 20 are slim.
People will have been watching and noticing his extraordinary gifts. Before too long, a club will note his extended minutes, maybe even a starting spot or two, and feel that the time is right to take a punt on what looks assured to be precocious and superstar talent.
(Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)
Sadly, it could well be the path to short-term disappointment that so many players before have experienced. The A-League remains the place where many of the most gifted young players show their potential, before returning a few years later to rebuild careers that have lost direction.
In between the two lies the frustration of hard training in a foreign land, often with limited opportunity. What follows for many Aussies is a meandering career laced with loan after loan, as the parent club attempts to ensure a tidy return on their investment, even if the athlete never actually represents the club for whom they originally signed.
Frankly, the pattern has ruined many a young professional’s early life and some would have been far better developed as had they remained in Australia as a star in the domestic league.
Experience abroad is required to add the touch of class that Graham Arnold needs, yet leaving the country early for riches and opportunity is fraught with danger and Irankunda looks likely to be the next player forced to make a significant career decision, potentially before he is able to understand the pitfalls.
He would be best to remain an A-League player for at least the next two seasons, yet that seems unlikely, with each goal merely adding to his already substantial reputation.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Great response, but on a reread, it’s hard to compare to AFL and NRL – where can they go? Maybe rugby union in France for the NRL? It was such a shame to lose Garang Kuol, but 10 million dollars and a contract with a Premier League team – who could turn that down? We do need to hold on longer if we can, but the temptations in football are far greater than other codes. Garang is probably earning more than any AFL or NRL player and he has only just turned 18 and his purchase is speculative!
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
It gets under their skin (you know who), but what a statement it would make if it did ever happen for Arnie, and Australian Football.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I love your persistence and optimism. Let’s hope so.
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
Yes Grem, under all that immense pressure from the media, Arnie stuck firm and believed. Now let's get that home, the 45K Australian Football Stadium with air-con, built in the national capital, Canberra! :football:
Grem
Roar Rookie
You gotta love Arnie. His passion for football in Australia and young Australian footballers is terrific. I really am excited about the future of the Socceroos under him and I will admit that before the play offs against UAE and Peru last year I was a doubter.
Grem
Roar Rookie
The money will already being offered from overseas and they would likely take it, as most would. If the APL could match it, it would mean they would be tempted to stay longer, we get to enjoy them more and their transfer fee will be much more if they continue to grow. It’s unlikely for us to get a 2 million transfer fee for Irakunda, when he’s probably on 50000 or so a year, but if he’s a genuine marquee player, the transfer sum should reflect that.
Sheffield WesDay
Roar Rookie
Not sure throwing money at them is the answer. At some point these kids need to sit down and prioritise what is important to them. Are they looking for a long successful career or simply a short term pay day. I understand that the playing life of a footballer is short and precarious, and they need to make bank when they can, but surely they can see that regular game minutes at a club where they are valued is better for their long term prospects then a high payout and bouncing between clubs that they are not yet ready for. If they are not yet ready to start at an A League club then they are either Nieve or clueless to think that a move to a big european powerhouse is a good decision. Viduka spent 2 whole seasons in the NSL, as top goal scorer before he made the move. The fact is, if they are a 17 year old sensation and stay in the A League a bit longer to get minutes and grow, then overseas clubs will still be interested in them as a 19 or 20 year old seasoned player ready to step into the first team.
Ant
Guest
While I agree TSS, the issue is what all A League clubs don’t do and that is value players as per the international market by not demanding the correct international value. These players will go around the club merry-go-round, if they’re not valued accordingly. This is what will put bums on seats and drive interest and demand. When we have multiple players selling for $2+ mill or I dare say $10 + mill this is the best marketing the game could have. If done properly it will eventuate with a future star worth following, but will drive demand and interest from larger overseas clubs and will force ALL clubs besides the Adelaide’s, Brisbane’s and Mariners to play and scout the best young players in Australia. Why can’t all of our clubs be like a Benfica or an Ajax in developing and selling players? People will queue to see a player valued more than 4 NRL or AFL clubs. Plus the flow on effects of attracting the best international players, while the clubs turning a tidy profit. It’s win win.
Ferno
Guest
Certainly, no other australian club will try a bid for him. They would prefer to expend the equivalent for hiring some old retired chap like sturidge or Nani.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
right timing, good, although this was going to be a World Cup welcome home at some stage
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
King lacks a bit of athleticism for a fullback, technically he is quite good and a decent passer. What would the scouting report be on Caballo got beaten regularly in the FFA cup. That Phoenix goal was down to Wilkinson it was an up and under so the bigger player then gets the advantage, there was more than enough time for Wilkinson to join in the pack and it would have been 2 on 1 . On the replay you can see Zabada has put his arms over King shoulders so it would have been no issue if Wilkinson had done his job.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
How cheap are Adelaide scholarship deal. I bet the players are fed expired food from discount chains like American prisons.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Recently who has made it in the big time by going to Europe early. When you had the NSL players would go to Europe train full time, and you would go that guy has improved remarkbly. Nowdays they go to Europe , and you say they went backwards. There are two factors one the NSL was part-time training the other the state of Europe. The iron curtain with the Soviet Union protected Europe from drugs and other bad influences. Europe is a very seedy place these days, Australia and Japan are the two cleanest countries in the world.
Will
Guest
Segecic looks like the next playmaking talent coming through along with Jelacic from Perth. But the problem is Corica persists using him as a left winger where he cant use he's creativity that well, however he played for the Young Socceroos playing as a No.10/No.8 and looked a standout in the team.
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Yes indeed - Caballo's defence has been woeful at times, especially his positioning. He has got better over the season though.
Garry
Roar Rookie
I prefer him at LB to Caballo, we're more solid
Will
Guest
I know just fell short in the penalty shootout but I also very impressed with the under 20 players as well. The likes of Segecic, Triantis, Rowlins, Bernardo etc were quite impressive however its a shame most of the team are not playing regularly with their a-league clubs and this is important for them to fulfil their potential by playing more senior football so this needs to happen. The NSD cant come soon enough as well and should open more opportunities for more talent. Im curious to see what Robertson can do, not sure what kind of midfield player he is but its good we get to see that in a Socceroos jersey and what he can offer. Volpato and Circati next? In terms of Irankunda, hes a special talent but when he gets to European football he will go through similar experiences that the likes of Arzani, Kuol that have gone through so clearly we have to be patient when it comes to the next generation of players who look very promising here. But im excited about the future of the national team only from the Socceroos team but also from what watching the under 20s recently as well that is plenty of talent coming through as well. Maybe the much talked about curriculum and a-league academies is starting to bear fruit after all the negative noise it copped in the early years?
Franko
Guest
D'Arrigo has an option in Belgium, I believe? Would be a good fit. Is this out of contract, or a fee?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Irukunda was born in Africa, is he really this age. Of course you have MRI scan for age testing for youth teams , but that test only works if a player is about 3-5 years older
Redondo
Roar Rookie
Great analysis of Joel King here: https://www.espn.com.au/football/australia-aus/story/4612493/socceroos-scouting-report-odense-boldklub-left-back-joel-king Confirms what I thought watching him at Sydney FC a few years ago - good skills but too easy to beat man-on-man, which is a real problem for a full back. And the Phoenix goal on the weekend was down to King's positioning leaving him blind to Zawada behind him.