Nestory Irankunda delivered a standout performance as the Socceroos came from behind to secure a 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their final warm-up match ahead of the World Cup. The Swiss took the lead in the 14th minute, but debutant Tete Yengi equalised in the 56th minute at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Saturday (Sunday AEST) in front of 6,107 fans.
Similar to last week’s 1-0 loss to Mexico, Switzerland dominated the early stages, with Australia—fielding a youthful lineup—only finding their rhythm after the drinks break in the 22nd minute. The team improved further following half-time substitutions.
That slow start remains a concern ahead of next Saturday’s Group D opener against Turkey in Vancouver, followed by matches against the United States and Paraguay.
“I’m just happy,” coach Tony Popovic said. “Everything we wanted from the game we got. We got no injuries, we got a result that always helps, and we scored a very nice goal. So overall, we’re happy. We need to start better, of course … but we’ve got to try and manage those moments well when things aren’t coming our way.”
Irankunda, 20, started as a left-sided inverted winger and was by far Australia’s most dangerous and explosive player, while also tracking back hard defensively before being substituted in the 71st minute. He was booked for kicking the ball at Granit Xhaka after the Swiss captain had been fouled.
Popovic felt Irankunda had found the first half difficult but grew into the game. “We had three new front players, so that also didn’t help him to understand clearly when to run forward, when to sit off, when to be in the pocket,” Popovic said. “But second half, like the team, he did better, and we know he’s got those moments.”
Debutant Cristian Volpato, who recently defected from Italy, headlined a starting lineup with an average age of 24.6, the youngest of the Tony Popovic era. Volpato started as a right-sided attacker and grew into the first half before being substituted at half-time.
Australia improved with the introduction of Connor Metcalfe and Jacob Italiano among others at the break. For Australia’s goal, centre-back Cameron Burgess delivered a scything long ball to release Metcalfe, who squared the ball for a sliding Yengi to score.
Yengi also started among seven changes, with the immense and “outstanding” Harry Souttar captaining Australia for the first time and the impressive Patrick Beach in goal.
In the fourth minute, Irankunda forced a corner and then whipped in a cross that Yengi glanced wide. Beach denied Ndoye in the eighth and 12th minutes before Granit Xhaka sliced through the Australian defensive lines with a wonderful ball. This time Ndoye trapped the ball and fired past Beach.
Australia found a foothold, and in the 45th minute, Volpato curled in a wicked free kick to the back post, and Souttar turned his header over the bar. Four minutes into the second half, Irankunda won the ball with a powerful challenge, burst forward, and unleashed a venomous strike that Gregor Kobel tipped onto the bar.
The Socceroos kept growing into the game, and 10 minutes later, the well-deserved equaliser from Yengi arrived in a hurry. Popovic emptied his bench, and the Socceroos held on through a Swiss flurry.
