Nestory Irankunda: Socceroo boy wonder’s bold World Cup ambition
Meet Nestory Irankunda, the teen Socceroo taking the game by storm, who opens up about seizing his place in international football and coach Tony Popovic’s wisdom in a rare interview
READING LEVEL: GREEN
It is easy to forget just how young Nestory Irankunda is, but the hottest talent in Australian football for a generation is only 19-years-old.
His latest appearance for the Socceroos was during their 2-1 defeat against the United States in Colorado on Wednesday. Irankunda only came on as a substitute but very nearly snatched a late equaliser, just four days after he bagged the winner in Australia’s victory over Canada.
“I thought I’d scored,” he said. “It’s one of those moments; you want to score and you don’t score and then you’re a bit disappointed in the end.
“But I was happy with the way I took the players on and everything, so just disappointed not to score again.”
The teenager has rarely spoken to the media in the past, in part due to his age, but after Wednesday’s defeat he chatted openly with the press about his spectacular first trip to North America.
Hailed as a potential saviour of Australian football after choosing the Socceroos over his birth country Tanzania, Irankunda spoke candidly* about his plans to embrace the expectations on him.
“Take on the world? For sure,” he said. “I can’t really back down. I just keep taking every game with confidence and just keep striving.
“I feel comfortable at this level. Obviously, it took me a few months, a few years to get comfortable, but I feel like now that I’ve played in a few more professional games and everything, I’m a lot more comfortable now.”
While no-one questions Irankunda’s raw talent, he is also still finding his feet at senior level.
He’s been targeted by opposing players who get rattled by his fast feet, and had to manage getting called up to the Socceroos while being courted* by Tanzania.
There’s a lot of interest around him, even as he’s still trying to play on the pitch like a teenager, by embracing the philosophy* that having fun is part of playing well.
“Every game I’m just motivated and excited, just to go out there, have passion, show the nation that I can work at the highest level and just try to help the team as much as I can,” he said.
“No butterflies*, no nerves. Obviously a few hours before the game, there’s a bit of nerves. But I’ve been doing it for a long time now and I’m not really nervous as much as I used to be.”
Australian coach Tony Popovic is an unabashed* admirer of the teen but knows Irankunda still needs to keep improving. Popovic has passed on some tips, including one to help the teen control his natural instincts in order to shine even brighter at next year’s FIFA World Cup.
“He wants me to just get more shots off inside the box* more than outside the box,” Irankunda said.
“I have scored a few outside the box, but while I’ve been here in camp with the boss … we’ve had discussions about what he wants me to do.”
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POLL
GLOSSARY
- candidly: in a way that is honest and true
- being courted: try to please, impress or persuade someone because you want them to join you
- philosophy: school of thought, ways of thinking about and understanding the nature of the real world and existence
- butterflies: a common expression for the fluttering feeling in your stomach when you’re nervous
- unabashed: without any worry about possible criticism or embarrassment
- inside the box: action in a soccer game that takes place inside the penalty area at either end of the field
EXTRA READING
Tiny nation makes FIFA World Cup
Hall of fame honours nation’s best
Socceroos qualify for World Cup
QUICK QUIZ
- Which international team defeated the Socceroos this week?
- Irankunda delivered the win for Australia four days earlier against which country?
- What is Irankunda’s country of birth?
- Who is the coach of the Socceroos?
- When is the next FIFA World Cup?
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Irankunda trading card
Use technology or draw to design a player trading card featuring Nestory Irankunda. It should include an exciting image of the player in action and some key facts and details. Choose an appropriate colour scheme to make the card appealing to Socceroo fans and use font styles and sizing suitable for the small format of a trading card.
Time: allow 30 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Visual Arts, Digital Technologies
2. Extension
The news article says that Irankunda is “embracing the philosophy that having fun is part of playing well.” What are your thoughts on this idea, that having fun is part of playing well? Provide a response that clearly explains your point of view.
Time: allow 10 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English; Health and Physical Education
VCOP ACTIVITY
VCOP dodgeball
The normal rules of dodgeball apply. Two teams throw soft balls at each other and if you get hit, you have to sit out. The team who knocks out all the players on the other team, wins.
VCOP challenge: when you get eliminated, collect a mini-whiteboard and a basic clause from the sidelines. Up-level the sentence (make it better) by adding VCOP. When you show the teacher your completed sentence, you can return to the game.
Play for a set amount of time and the team with the most players left on the court wins.
Support: use the “Up-Level It” card set – players have to complete one card from the set instead of completing all VCOP challenges.
What can you come up with?