Rising Socceroos star Irankunda tipped for big things

The match marks the start of what is the third - and possibly final - round of World Cup qualification for the Socceroos.

A top-two finish in a group also featuring Japan, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, China and Indonesia will guarantee the Socceroos a berth at the 2026 World Cup in North America.

If they only manage a third- or fourth-place finish, the Socceroos will be thrust into another qualifying stage.

Australia want to avoid that elongated path, and a big win over Bahrain on Thursday night followed by a victory against Indonesia in Jakarta on Tuesday next week would be a perfect start.

Irankunda made his Socceroos debut against Bangladesh in June, and he scored a week later in a 5-0 rout of Palestine in Perth.

Rising star Nestory Irankunda was jumping for joy after scoring a goal for the Socceroos. (Richard Wainwright/AAP PHOTOS)

The 18-year-old is yet to make an appearance in the Bundesliga, but he scored two goals and dished off an assist for Bayern Munich's reserves side in a recent player-of-the-match display against Wurzburger Kickers.

"It's nice to see him do well in the pre-season and be involved in those games," Socceroos star Craig Goodwin told reporters on Monday.

"I think he's gone over there with a great attitude and great work ethic, and it's good to see him doing really well.

"The way he's gone in the pre-season, I think it will only be a matter of time - I hope - before he gets his first game and first minutes in the Bundesliga, and hopefully he kicks on from there.

Craig Goodwin is expecting Nestory Irankunda to shine for the Socceroos and in the Bundesliga. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

"He has the power, he has the speed, and for him it just comes down to probably the fitness side in general and the technical side, and adapting to the way Bayern want to play.

"But we know Nestor is a special talent and I hope he can get the minutes this season to lift his game to a new level."

It's unclear whether Socceroos coach Graham Arnold will unleash Irankunda against Bahrain or Indonesia.

But if he does, Goodwin is backing the youngster to thrive.

"Whenever you step on to the national team stage and get some minutes - and for him to be able to get his first goal so soon - only gives him more confidence," Goodwin said.

"I hope he can come into this camp and give us the best of his abilities."

Touch down in sunny Gold Coast! ☀�— Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) @mitchduke8, @AzizBehich and Adam Taggart have arrived in camp ahead of Thursday's Round Three AFC Asian Qualifier against Bahrain.�� Only a very limited number of tickets remain available for the match at Robina Stadium:… pic.twitter.com/8BUrB7PT0gSeptember 2, 2024

Goodwin is also ready to fire for the Socceroos after making a blistering start to the season for his Saudi side Al-Wehda.

"We've played two games. First game I had three goal involvements, and second game was a win and I was involved in the goals as well," he said.

"It's probably been a couple of years since I've had as good a pre-season due to having injuries.

"At the back-end of last year, I broke my rib and had an issue with my foot as well.

"So it's been good to recover from that, put in a good foundation this pre-season and hit the ground running in the first few games."