It is something we have seen in the Isuzu UTE A-League; Mohamed Toure and Nestory Irankunda lighting up the domestic competition. On Tuesday, the exciting duo did it on the international stage.
Against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand in Auckland, the two young guns put on a show. Toure scored twice and Irankunda chipped in with a goal of his own and nearly scored a free-kick for the ages as the CommBank Socceroos defeated the All Whites 3-1 to retain the ANZAC Soccer Ashes.
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“We worked hard during the off-season for chances like this and I feel like tonight we grabbed it with two hands and showed the country and the world what we can do,” Irankunda told Paramount+ post-game.
Toure and Irankunda are two great mates, who were both raised in South Australia and came through Adelaide United’s famed production line and set A-Leagues records before earning moves abroad.
The pair are etched in Isuzu UTE A-League history. Toure (15 years, 10 months and 19 days) is the youngest ever goalscorer in the league’s history, narrowly ahead of Irankunda (15 years, 11 months and 21 days).
“It’s amazing. I’ve known Nestor for a very long. Since Adelaide and we live very close to each other. We’re always hanging out,” Toure told Paramount+. “Now to see us both out here playing for the Socceroos is amazing.
“He has come a long as a a kid. He has a lot to learn and same with me, I’m also a kid. We’re both learning together. It’s good to have a familiar face in camp.”
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Irankunda reciprocated post-match: “I’m so happy for him because when he scores, it feels like it’s me that’s scoring. We train everyday together in the off-season. Our first five seasons as professionals were together.”
Fast forward to now and they are making their mark in the Green and Gold.
After coming off the bench to inspire last week’s 1-0 win over the All Whites in Canberra, Toure and Irankunda were named in Tony Popovic’s starting XI at Go Media Stadium. The sight of the line-up set tails wagging. Fans had long yearned to see the talented pair lead the way for the Socceroos.
Max Balard – a two-time Championship winner with Central Coast Mariners made his first start, while Perth Glory academy product Alessandro Circati wore the captain’s armband.
Toure and Irankunda’s presence from the opening whistle, alongside seven other A-Leagues graduates, did not disappoint.
Toure – now starring for Danish outfit Randers – set the tone with his well-taken 35th-minute opener. It was the 21-year-old’s first goal for the Socceroos, who saw 13 former A-Leagues stars involved against the All Whites.
The All Whites themselves saw Wellington Phoenix’s 17-year-old star Luke Brooke-Smith become the country’s second-youngest debutant. Auckland FC’s Francis De Vries and Phoenix defender Tim Payne also started as Jesse Randall (Auckland FC), James McGarry (Brisbane Roar), Logan Rogerson (Auckland FC), Callan Elliot (Auckland FC), came off the bench.
Irankunda followed suit with a sublime solo goal nine minutes into the second half; a moment of brilliance and a trademark celebration Adelaide and A-Leagues fans grew accustom to during his time Down Under.
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After Chris Wood ended New Zealand’s 15-year wait for a goal against Australia, Toure restored the Socceroos’ two-goal cushion on the hour and only VAR cruelly robbed the Reds product of a stunning hat-trick.
“It’s a surreal feeling. Starting my first game for the Socceroos, just playing and putting the jersey on is a big pride for me,” Toure told Paramount+.
“Now to come down and score two goals, and get the victory and continue our win streak is just an amazing day for the team and for me.”
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A successful night across the ditch was nearly capped by an outrageous free-kick.
Irankunda swapped German powerhouse Bayern Munich for EFL Championship club Watford in the off-season. Since then, the 19-year-old has scored two goals for the Hornets – both free-kicks.
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On Tuesday night, he came within a whisker of converting a scorching set-piece into the back of the back. The sensation’s audacious long-range strike cannoned off the crossbar.
“Wow. I thought that would’ve been the best goal of my career so far,” Irankunda smiled.
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Popovic, who also spoke glowingly of former Melbourne Victory goalkeeper Paul Izzo, added: “I looked up on the screen because I couldn’t believe that he it that well. Amazing free-kick.
“We’ve seen it at Watford. The confidence to do that and in the second half as well, where he did so much work off the ball, so under fatigue. Shame it didn’t go in, but I’m actually happier he scored in general play, as opposed to the free-kick, to be honest.”
With the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the next gen are here.
