The Socceroos’ second half substitutes have produced an inspired burst, to lead them to a 5-1 win over Curaçao in Melbourne.Â
It was the Australians’ final match at home before the World Cup in North America starting on June 11.Â
In his first start in three years, Awer Mabil scored the only goal of the first half.
Awer Mabil made the most of starting for the first time since 2023. (Getty Images: Qian Jun)
There were concerning signs for the Socceroos when Ar’jany Martha evened the ledger for the visitors soon after the break.Â
But the much higher ranked Australians found top gear against the world number 82 thanks to a quadruple substitution in the 67th minute.Â
The introduction of usual starters Nestory Irankunda, Jordy Bos and Riley McGree immediately swung the game in the hosts’ favour.Â
Centre-back Alessandro Circati was the first to benefit off an excellent cross from McGree, scoring his first international goal with a diving header.Â
McGree then found Bos unmarked on the edge of the area.
The dynamic wing-back worked his way around a defender, and curled in a delightful ball just inside the far post, adding to his match-winner against Cameroon.Â
Jordy Bos backed up his match winner against Cameroon with another goal. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock )
It was then time for the Irankunda show.
Bos delivered the pass and Irankunda bamboozled the defender, and his right foot strike just snuck past the goalkeeper to trickle over the goal line.Â
The celebration was World Cup worthy.Â
First a backflip, then a silver glove was thrown to him, and he pulled out his best Michael Jackson dance moves.Â
“I am a huge MJ fan, obviously you always want to back yourself to score,” he told Paramount+.
“Me and my boy did talk about it and he just threw it and I had to catch it and put the glove on, did the celebration.”
Irankunda with his Michael Jackson inspired celebration. (Getty Images: Morgan Hancock)
His second came soon after when he pounced on a well weighted pass from Nish Velupillay to slide it through on the angle.
He’s relishing his move from winger to striker for the second straight game, and thanked coach Tony Popovic.
“I’m happy with the performance, just doing what the boss wants me to do,” Irankunda said.
“We’ve had conversations in the last few months and he’s just trying to help me become a better player.”
16,764 fans saw off the Socceroos at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, with the result also seeing them win the FIFA Series.
Ajdin Hrustić left the game just before the break with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.Â
The players will now return to their clubs, before re-grouping in late May for a final friendly against Mexico at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
Popovic will then have to finalise his squad for the World Cup.Â
Look back at how the action unfolded in our live blog.
Key Events
Live: Socceroos v Curaçao, FIFA series in Melbourne
Onwards and upwards to North America
Thanks for joining me on the blog tonight, in what was the perfect send-off for the Socceroos.
They’ll now return to club land for a couple of months, before re-grouping for a final friendly against Mexico at the end of May at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
After that, Tony Popovic will have to lock in his World Cup squad, with the Australians’ first match on June 13 in Vancouver.
Irankunda confirms the glove was planted
The biggest question to come out of this game was where did Nestory Irankunda’s Michael Jackson inspired silver glove come from?
On the broadcast, he confirmed it was planned.
“I am a huge MJ fan, obviously you always want to back yourself to score,” he said.
“Me and my boy did talk about it and he just threw it and I had to catch it and put the glove on, did the celebration.”
He’s also spoken about how much Tony Popovic has helped him.
“I’m happy with the performance, just doing what the boss wants me to do,” Irankunda said.
“We’ve had conversations in the last few months and he’s just trying to help me become a better player.
“As you can see tonight he’s helped me during the week to get in positions like that to score more goals.”
Popovic happy overall
Coach Tony Popovic told Paramount+ he’s pleased with the performance.
“Wonderful send off. We wanted to win this game and go off on a high note after this FIFA series and scoring 5 is a nice bonus,” he said.
“We conceded a soft goal to go 1-1… but was a great reaction after that.
“Some boys today got an opportunity and I’m sure they enjoyed the camp… and hopefully we’ve added a few more players to the squad depth.”
Look back at the goal celebrations
But Mabil ‘grateful’
First half goalscorer Awer Mabil is speaking to the broadcaster Paramount+ and says it was a great night.
“It means everything, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be here again,” he said.
“I’m really happy that the opportunity came, and grateful to the coach for rewarding me.”
90′ Full time: Socceroos win 5-1
Well what a way to finish that match.
There were concerning signs when Curaçao scored early in the second half to make it 1-1, cancelling out Awer Mabil’s first half goal.
But Tony Popovic’s four substitutions in the 67th minute completely changed the game.
Alessandro Circati and Jordy Bos got deserved goals, but Nestory Irankunda stole the show with his brace and his sensational celebrations too.
85′ Irankunda down
He loves me lands heavily after a big leap in an aerial contest. No foul play here, just an awkward landing for him.
84′ GOAL! IRANKUNDA HAS ANOTHER!
Somebody stop him!
Nestory Irankunda has been living it up since coming onto the pitch.
This time Nish Velupillay sends the well weighted pass through to Irankunda in the area, he has a fairly tight angle but manages to get it through to make it 5-1.
80′ GOAL! Irankunda scores and celebrates in style!
Ok, now the Socceroos are having fun.
Jordy Bos lays off a neat pass to Nestory Irankunda who beats a defender, charges in, and just gets the ball past the keeper, as it trickles past the line.
But the best part is the celebration – first a backflip, and then he starts dancing.
A silver glove is thrown to him from the crowd, he puts it on his right hand and does some Michael Jackson inspired dance moves.
Entertainment++++
77′ Bacuna shot saved
Leandro Bacuna has been a constant threat for the visitors, he has a header on target but it doesn’t have much venom on it, and it’s easily picked up by Mat Ryan.
71′ GOAL! BOS MAKES IT 3!
The goals are coming faster than I can type!
The Socceroos made several changes just before the Look for them goal, and that has changed the complexion of the game.
A few minutes later, Jordy Bos swooped in to score the Socceroos’ third.
He’s been dynamic and a cut above the rest even only being on the field for a few minutes, and McGree again was instrumental in the build up.
He found Bos who steamed into the box, took his time to control it with his left and then curled it expertly just inside the far post.
67′ GOAL! Circati with his first Socceroos goal
It’s all happening in Melbourne!
Riley McGree sent a perfect cross into the box, and Alessandro Circati finished it off with a sublime diving header to bury the Socceroos’ second.
It’s his first Socceroos goal, and a nice reward for one of the brightest stars of this side.
65′ Mabil skies a chance
Awer Mabil with another big chance!
Alessandro Circati played him in beautifully, Mabil gathered at the edge of the area, but blasted it over the top of the crossbar.
A good opportunity gone begging.
56′ Frantic start to second half
This game has really come to life, Curaçao has been pressuring the Socceroos and has turned up the energy.
The Socceroos had a chance of their own with Aiden O’Neill shooting on the edge of the area, but it’s just wide of the left post.
50′ GOAL! Curacao levels the scores!
Well that is a huge statement from Curaçao soon after the break.
It started with a great long ball at the back, then a pinpoint header in the midfield, which was picked up by Ar’jany Martha who was just too quick for Kye Rowles.
Martha then did well to get it through Mat Ryan’s legs, and the underdogs have made it 1-1!
Second half changes for Socceroos
Tony Popovic has made three changes to start the second half.
Jason Drinks comes on for Lucas Herrington, Paul Okon-Engstler is on for Connor Metcalfeand Nish Velupillay replaces Ajdin Hrustić.
Curaçao have made four changes too.
Striker options
Nice poachers goal by Mabil….I like to see him and Irankunda together , up front before the nights out. There my two to lead the line at the World Cup!
– I’m stumped
Nestory Irankunda was called upon to lead the line against Cameroon in the second half on Friday night.
It was a change from his usual position on the wing with usual first choice striker Mo Touré currently out injured.
So will Tony Popovic bring him on again in the second half to once again link up with But Cheap?
Or is it time to see Ante Å uto make his debut?
Half time: Socceroos lead Curacao 1-0
Awer Mabil’s 23rd minute strike has the Socceroos up 1-0 over Curaçao at half time in Melbourne.
He had an excellent chance to collect a brace late in the half, but was foiled by the post.
It’s been an entertaining match with action at both ends, but the Socceroos have not been at their best and will want an improved showing after the break.
The Australians have had 5 shots to Curaçao’s 2, and the visitors have actually shaded them for possession with 53 per cent of the ball.
Expect substitutions from both teams, this is after all a World Cup warm up, so the coaches will want to see what their respective benches can offer.
43′ Mabil with a chance for a second!
Ajdin Hrustić made a great run down the left, looped a cross into Awer Mabil who hit it into the right post.
A good opportunity for Mabil who couldn’t hit it as well as he would’ve liked.
But after that, Hrustić had to receive some medical attention, he seemed to be holding onto his left hamstring.
And he’s left the field, a substitution hasn’t been made but with half-time approaching, Popovic will make the change, likely alongside others, then.
