Excitement began to grow in the crowd at HBF Park as soon as they began to realise what was happening. Palestinian players were circling the referee, furiously remonstrating as Nestory Irankunda grabbed the ball and moved towards the penalty spot. Moments prior, Yaser Hamed had flown to try and defend a Connor Metcalfe corner but inadvertently did so with his hand.
It was going to be a penalty and Australian football’s starboy was going to take it. It didn’t matter that it was 4-0 at that point, this was what the crowd had come to see; a chance to see what will be hoped to be the first of numerous goals for the teenager, in one of the many, many wins he will be part of in green and gold. Australia 5-0 Palestine: World Cup 2026 qualifier – as it happened Read more Given that he’s got a foot like a tractor engine, there was little doubt about what was about to happen.
And he duly delivered, thundering the ball beyond Rami Hamadeh. There was even less uncertainty about what was to happen next, either, with the Bayern Munich-bound prodigy performing his now trademark, backflipping celebration. “He’s done everything we’ve asked,” said coach Graham Arnold of the teen.
“The older boys have looked after him and he’s had a great camp. “Now he goes to Bayern and it’s really up to him. It’s just a start, not the finish.
” View image in fullscreen Photograph: Richard Wainwright/EPA Winners of Group I in the second phase of Asian World Cup qualifying – the poi.