Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The Socceroos have let slip a famous victory over Brazil, conceding a goal to the five-time world champions in the final minute and having to settle for a 1-1 draw in Townsville.
Nestory Irankunda had stunned the football goliaths with a masterful free kick in the 68th minute at Queensland Country Park on Friday night.
But the Socceroos – dogged all night – crumbled at the final hurdle, with substitute Rayan pulling off a header goal with the last touch of the game.
Australia have only beaten Brazil once across 12 meetings, with Shaun Murphy landing the decisive strike at the 2001 Confederations Cup third-place play-off.
Still, national team boss Tony Popovic won’t be completely disappointed after a gutsy performance against the new-look world No.5 outfit.
In a distinct change to their World Cup campaign, the Socceroos against Brazil were unwilling to simply sit deep and wait.
And when the door opened after Douglas Luiz took youngster Paul Okon-Engstler to ground, Irankunda didn’t hesitate.
The 20-year-old fired off a curling ball to nail Australia’s second-ever goal against the football goliaths, marking the occasion with a backflip in front of a sold-out crowd.
Brazil had found the back of the net first through Chelsea star Estevao, but the teenage phenom’s first-half goal was chalked off.
Bruno Guimaraes was found by VAR to have fouled Harry Souttar in setting up Estevao.
Both teams were playing their first international match since suffering early World Cup exits, with Brazil coach Carlo Ancelotti retaining only nine players from the FIFA tournament in his 26-man squad in Queensland.
Popovic gave Tete Yengi the nod to lead the Socceroos’ attack in the absence of the injured Mohamed Toure, with Irankunda back in his preferred position on the left wing.
Former A-League star Marcus Younis also made his national team debut in the 84th minute, coming off the bench for Connor Metcalfe.
A fit-again Jacob Italiano set the tone in the second minute by plucking the ball off Vinicius Junior and off-loading to Metcalfe, who sent the ball over the crossbar.
Goalkeeper Patrick Beach then upped the ante in the sixth minute by launching a quick counter after saving an off-target shot from Estevao.
Irankunda had almost bamboozled Brazil with an incredible thunder-strike from outside the box, forcing a jump from Brazil goalkeeper Hugo Souza.
But Brazil still put the Socceroos under the pump, even if they took time in finding the rhythm across coach Ancelotti’s new line-up.
Play was briefly delayed after Italiano and Douglas Santos clashed heads in the eighth minute, but both continued.
The Socceroos will look to claim their second win from 12 meetings when they head to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on Tuesday.
