Western United head coach and Socceroos legend John Aloisi delivered a fascinating assessment of Nestory Irankunda’s talent and potential, after the Adelaide United teenager’s first career hat-trick on Friday night.
Irankunda became the youngest hat-trick scorer in Isuzu UTE A-League history in a game-breaking display against Aloisi’s Western, launching the Reds to a 4-1 win at Coopers Stadium.
IRANKUNDA SHINES: Bayern-bound teen’s first career hat-trick smashes records in big win for Reds
In his post-game press conference, Aloisi praised Irankunda as one of the most talented players he’s ever seen in Australia.
He also shared his advice for the 18-year-old as he prepares to embark on a European journey in the off-season, joining German giants Bayern Munich after his third season in the Isuzu UTE A-League.
This is every word Aloisi said.
“The advice would be that you’re going to go through difficult moments and you have to find a way to get through those moments,” Aloisi began.
“I think every player that went overseas from Australia would say the same thing, because (it’s) still not recognised as the best players in the world come out of Australia.
“Hopefully, that will change over time. Hopefully, Irankunda can change that for us and show that we’re producing good players and talented players because he’s an exceptional talent, we can all see it.
“Now, it’s the other side. The other side is that he’ll need to learn and grow, and that will only come through experience. Hopefully, he’ll have good people around him, I’m sure that he will, I’m sure he’ll have good mentors around him that will help him through the tough times.
“He’s one of the most talented I’ve ever seen in Australia, without a doubt.
“Tonight, he was the difference. When you think about it, I can’t remember them really having many clear chances, he caught us. We couldn’t stop him.
“When he’s playing like that it’s hard to stop. He’s picking up the ball from the halfway line, even the (first) goal he scores is from an angle-and-a-half. Really, when you think about it you think: ‘Oh, we’re comfortable here’ but he’s got so much power, he’s got ability, and he was good, very good tonight. He killed us.”
Aloisi was then asked to expand on where he rated Irankunda among the best young Australian prospects he’s ever seen, which led to a comparison to Socceroo and former Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Newcastle United striker Mark Viduka.
“The difference between Mark Viduka (and Irankunda) – different positions, obviously, different players – but I’d say Mark Viduka was already very consistent at a young age,” Aloisi said.
“But Nestor is still I think a lot younger than Mark was when he first burst onto the scene. You hope that when he gets to that age he’s able to consistently (perform) because really, his form has been up and down since he’s been in the A-League. I know that with young players that will happen.
“But if he gets consistency into his game, quality-wise, man… I don’t know what his top speed is, but there’s no one catching him.
“Some of the goals he’s scored already in his young, young career, his highlights reel (is) way better than mine was throughout my whole career!”
“He’s physically strong, he’s very strong,” Aloisi added. “And then also you have to be technically good. You can’t just be power, he has to strike it well.
“I hope for him, I hope for Australian football that he can go on and have a great career. I’m not saying he’s going to be our best player we’ve ever produced, because he’s got a long, long way to (go to) do that but in terms of talent, he’s there.”
