Socceroos’ boy wonder almost delivers upset as Brazil laments ‘difficult’ surface
13 years ago, Brazil was one of the countries that started Ange Postecoglou’s rise to the top job in Australian football.
He wasn’t in the role at the time, but he was about be as former Socceroos manager Holger Osieck watched his side get smoked 6-0 by Brazil, followed by another 6-0 loss to France. Osieck was moved on, and Postecoglou shuffled in, as the deck chairs moved for the 2014 World Cup.
Holger Osieck in 2013 after France won 6-0. AP
Four years later, Diego Souza’s brace set up a 4-0 victory for Brazil against Postecoglou’s Australia at the MCG.
Fast-forward to now, and this young generation pulled off a 1-1 draw against the football powerhouse.
Brazil may not have the same aura as times gone by, having exited the 2026 World Cup in the round of 16 against Norway, but this was still an unexpected result.
At the face of it, was the poster boy for this generation: Nestory Irankunda.
His 68th minute free kick brought the Townsville crowd to its feet as the boy wonder flipped his way to the corner post. It was a goal he described as “beautiful” post-match.
Brazilian substitute Rayan’s header in stoppage time cruelled the chance for the result to be a monumental moment, but the match appeared a step forward for Australia nonetheless.
This Australian team has proved under Tony Popovic it’s capable of upsets, after a 1-0 defeat of Japan last year in the World Cup qualifiers and that stunning 2-0 opening World Cup win against Türkiye.
On this occasion, the bridge was too far. But the performance suggested this team could be ready to evolve.
Popovic was criticised heavily following the World Cup for not being aggressive enough in his tactics, as the Socceroos sat back during the round of 32 match against Egypt.
In a recent roundtable interview, the former defender was not fazed when asked about the perception of him as a defensive manager.
The tone was set on Friday when Irankunda had a long shot saved by Hugo Souza in the seventh minute. It was no doubt relief for football fans seeing him play on the wing, opposed to the centre-forward position Popovic used him predominantly in during the campaign in the USA.
Australia was playing bolder in Townsville, with a higher line and pressed Brazil’s stars.
With that considered, it was no surprise to see after 15 minutes, the Socceroos had three shots to Brazil’s one.
Nestory Irankunda. Getty Images
“The mentality shift is really interesting to see from the Socceroos. There’s nothing to lose from this friendly game,” Erik Paartalu said on Paramount+.
“It sort of raises questions about some of the performances in the World Cup, doesn’t it? You think about us sitting back and soaking up pressure, this is Brazil.
“Yes it’s a friendly, it doesn’t really mean anything in terms of points, but this is the way we should always be looking to start games, on the front foot, trying your best to get close to players.”
Perhaps for Brazil, the poor showing could come down to the Queensland Country Bank Stadium surface.
Post-match, Arsenal and Brazil star Bruno Guimarães described it as a “little bit difficult”.
“We couldn’t pass the ball properly,” he said while saying the squad should have played so much better.
“We got a draw and I’m hopeful we can perform better in the next game, because the level that we have in the squad, we can definitely play better,” he said.
Superstar manager Carlo Ancelotti also criticised the pitch.
Carlo Ancelotti in Townsville. Getty Images
“Difficult game. The pitch was not so good to play good football,” he said.
“I think we fought until the end, we played with intensity. At the end, I think the result is right.”
Now an interesting test will come in Brisbane on Tuesday when Popovic will likely rotate some of his squad. Brazil won’t be the same side either, on the pitch and in mentality. The warning shot has been fired and if there was any complacency in Townsville that’s sure to have disappeared by next week.
