Nestory Irankunda scored, wheeled away, and did exactly what he had always promised himself he would do after Australia beat Turkey 2-0 in their World Cup opener on Saturday.
The Watford forward dropped to his knees and mimicked the iconic boxing celebration that made Tim Cahill famous.
“Tim Cahill is my biggest inspiration when it comes to football,” Irankunda said afterwards, still glowing.
“Him and Lionel Messi. Tim Cahill, Australia’s greatest in my opinion. I just thought if I scored, I’ll do the same as him, and I got to do it.”
Irankunda, at 20 years and 125 days, is now Australia’s youngest-ever World Cup goalscorer, beating the record set by Brett Holman, who was 26 years and 84 days old when he scored against Ghana in 2010.
The former Bayern Munich academy product’s goal was every bit as good as the occasion demanded. Collecting a pass from fellow teenager Paul Okon-Engstler, Irankunda took a brilliant first touch to create space inside, then drilled a low strike into the far corner.
Connor Metcalfe added a second, pouncing on sloppy Turkish play before firing low into the bottom corner, and Tony Popovic’s side held on for one of the results of the tournament so far.
Turkey, back at the World Cup for the first time since 2002, dominated for long periods. Abdulkerim Bardakci had a long-range effort tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who was a surprise starter ahead of the experienced Mat Ryan and making his first competitive international.
Beach also denied Arda Guler from a free-kick and kept out a close-range Zeki Celik effort in the second half.
“It’s something that we’ve always seen,” Popovic said of his goalkeeper. “I’ve got a lot of belief in the young man. He stood up today and I’m happy for him.”
“People underestimate us and we showed them today that we can play,” Irankunda said with a grin. “They kept the ball a lot more, but who scored the goals? We scored the goals.”
Popovic, visibly emotional at the full-time whistle, kept his words simple. “Proud. Proud to be here as head coach. To experience this, put a smile on people’s faces who have travelled so far to support us — just happy for a group of wonderful young men.”
On the combination between Irankunda and Okon-Engstler for the opening goal, he added: “That was quite special seeing the young boys combine. You can’t underestimate what this will do for the confidence and belief. Emotionally, it will give a lot to the players from this game.”
Australia face the United States next. With the chance to all but secure their qualification to the knockout rounds.
