‘Matter of time’ before Socceroo stars in Bundesliga

Socceroos star Craig Goodwin says it’s “only a matter of time” before his former Adelaide United teammate Nestory Irankunda makes his Bundesliga debut such is the impact the teenage sensation has had since joining Bayern Munich.

Saudi Arabia-based Goodwin and Irankunda have reunited this week in Socceroos camp ahead of Australia’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Bahrain on Thursday night on the Gold Coast.

Ex-Adelaide skipper Goodwin has been delighted, and anything but surprised, about Irankunda’s progress since the 18-year-old winger linked with the German giants in June.

The former A-League prodigy made a significant pre-season impression, scoring goals and providing assists when given chances in the first-team season.

And while Irankunda is yet to play in the Bundesliga, Goodwin said such an achievement was inevitable for the youngster.

“It’s nice to see him do really well in the pre-season and obviously be involved in those games,” Goodwin said on Monday.

“He’s gone over there with a great attitude and great work ethic, and … I’m not surprised by the start he’s made because he especially has that physicality to be able to match it at any level.

“He’s got the power, he’s got the speed, and for him, it just comes down to probably the fitness side in general, and then the technical side and adapting to the way that Bayern want to play.

“The way that he’s gone in the pre-season, it’ll only be a matter of time, I hope, before he gets his first minutes in a Bundesliga game and then hopefully he can kick on from there.

“We know Nestor is a special talent, and I hope that he can get the minutes this season to be able to lift his game to a new level.”

Goodwin said Irankunda’s belief in himself would have grown from being given his Socceroos debut in June and scoring against Palestine.

“Whenever you step on to the national team stage and actually start to play and get some minutes, and for him to be able to get his first goal so soon as well, it only gives him more and more confidence,” Goodwin said.
“I hope he can come into this camp and really give us the best of his abilities.”

Goodwin missed the June qualifiers against Bangladesh and Palestine through injury but arrived in the camp in top shape after a good pre-season with his Saudi Pro League club Al-Wehda.

“It’s probably been a couple years since I’ve had as good a pre-season as that due to having injuries and it was the same at the back end of last year (season),” the 32-year-old attacking weapon said.

“I broke my rib, I had an issue with my foot as well, so it’s been good to recover from that, put in a good foundation this pre-season, and hit the ground running in the first few games.

“In the first game I had three goal involvements, and the second game was a win and I was involved in the goals as well. I’m really happy to start the season well.”

Despite rumours that he was considering retiring from international football after the Socceroos were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the Asian Cup in February, Goodwin said he was committed to helping Australia qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

“I’ve been in the best form of my career over the last probably four years, contributing heavily to goals and assists, no matter whether it’s been at club or international level, but I’ve also over the last three or four years battled with a few different niggling injuries,” he said.

“Breaking the rib at the end of last season wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t the ideal way to finish and was thinking again ‘here we go, another injury I’ve picked up from unluckiness’, but it’s given me a good chance to refresh and a good chance to get in the gym and try to strengthen up everything around that.

“I’ve hit the ground running at club level. I feel physically very good and very strong. I’m committed to this campaign and trying to get the Socceroos to the World Cup again.”