![]() ![]() ![]() In that conversation with KEEPUP he had spoken of wanting to bring the best out of those around him, to be a catalyst for others to thrive. In its way, and even allowing for the blistering effort that went into his displays at the World Cup, this was one of Irvine’s most influential performances for his country. It was hardly a coincidence that Irvine was the figure loitering in the box to convert Mitch Duke’s cutback in the 12th minute and open the scoring, for there was hardly a blade of grass with which he hadn’t made contact all evening. Eight wins in a row for club and country to which he has contributed five goals in six games is a rare streak of form, but any fortune involved is entirely of the earned variety. “It’s difficult to explain, but definitely one of those places now where it feels like everything’s dropping for me,” he said.Īnd how. Jackson Irvine applauds the fans at full time of the win over Ecuador at CommBank Stadium.Ĭhatting to KEEPUP on Thursday in a hotel coffee bar, Irvine simply wanted to enjoy the vocational sunshine while it lasts. By the time Garang Kuol put a coat of gloss on the final outcome, converting a chance built on applause-worthy passing late in the game, we could see the value of the experiences in Doha soaked up by the likes of Craig Goodwin, Harry Souttar and Jackson Irvine.įootball must seem a rather straightforward pursuit for Irvine in particular right now, the cards falling his way like a stream of aces. The spring in the step of a team that won global plaudits is demonstrable, and the portents are quite exciting. If the intensity of a contest that was billed as a homecoming could never approach the heights of an intoxicating few weeks in Qatar, a 3-1 defeat of Ecuador was a highly satisfying way to begin the transition towards the next World Cup. The Socceroos slipped straight back into the rhythms that served them so well at the World Cup last year, and offered hints that there could be a whole new set of routines over the next three and a half years. Defeat of Ecuador had plenty to make coach Graham Arnold happy on team’s first outing since Qatar, writes Tom Smithies ![]()
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