After boldly stating that the Socceroos can “go all the way” and win the World Cup this year, Nestory Irankunda has drawn attention.
Irankunda, a 20-year-old winger, ended with four goals and four assists in 40 games during his promising Championship debut season with Watford.
Premier League teams have reportedly expressed interest in him, but his immediate priority is playing for coach Tony Popovic in the opening World Cup group match in Vancouver on June 14 against Turkey.
The former A-League star told 10 News Adelaide, “I think we can go pretty far.”
“We have a strong, talented squad with young players who have performed well at the top level, so I think we can go all the way.”
On Tuesday, Irankunda’s close buddy Mohamed Toure, who joined Norwich in January and quickly became popular in the Championship, boarded the plane to the US for a training camp.
After boldly stating that the Socceroos can “go all the way” and win the World Cup this year, Nestory Irankunda has drawn attention.
Irankunda, a 20-year-old Watford star, mentioned “a talented national squad, with young players who have done well at the top level.”
Tony Popovic’s team will play Turkey in Group D of the World Cup on June 14 at 2 p.m. AEDT, followed by the USA on June 20 at 5 a.m. AEDT and Paraguay on June 26 at 12 p.m. AEDT.
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Before a groin ailment caused the striker to worry that he would miss the World Cup, he had scored 10 goals in 12 games.
Sarasota, on Florida’s west coast, is home to the Socceroos’ pre-World Cup training camp.
After a pre-tournament friendly against Mexico in Los Angeles at the end of May, Tony Popovic’s team will move to Oakland, California, for their World Cup base camp.
Their last match is against Switzerland on June 7 at 5 a.m. AEDT, followed by Group D matches against Turkey on June 14 at 2 p.m. AEDT, the USA on June 20 at 5 a.m. AEDT, and Paraguay on June 26 at 12 p.m. AEDT.
Popovic, who participated in the 2006 World Cup under Guus Hiddink, is aware of the magnitude of leading Australia at the world’s largest athletic tournament. “It doesn’t get more real than this,” he told Football 360.
“I’m incredibly thrilled for this amazing group of young men who aspire to be the best on the biggest stage.”
“In the end, we want to do the country proud.” “We will be resilient, competitive, and show the belief we have in ourselves.”
