Jordy Bos Shines in Australia's Draw with Paraguay

Australia’s goalless draw with Paraguay will not linger in the memory for its scoreline. It will, however, be remembered for the night a 21-year-old fullback bent the game to his will from the “wrong” side of the pitch.

Bos owns the right flank

Jordy Bos lined up on the right of defence, out of position on paper, utterly at home in reality. By full-time he had created more chances than anyone else, taken the most shots and completed the most dribbles on the pitch. Every meaningful Australian attack seemed to pass through his boots.

He drove high and wide, then cut sharply infield, repeatedly linking with Cristian Volpato down the right. At times he looked less like a fullback and more like a winger from another era, the sort that starts deep and finishes in the box.

Nestory Irankunda didn’t bother with moderation when asked to sum it up.

“He’s the best player in the world, Jordy Bos,” Irankunda said after the 0-0 draw. “Best wing back in the world, and he’s so talented, but what a guy.

“He done so well at right back today, but he got so high up the pitch today, and he showed glimpses of what he can do with the ball.

“We’ve always known Jordy for doing great things, and today he was incredible.”

The performance drew comparisons with Gareth Bale’s early days, when the Welshman marauded forward from fullback before becoming a superstar at Real Madrid. Bos’s own football education came watching another left-footed winger who cut in from the flank: Arjen Robben.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t score like him, but I tried, tried my hardest,” Bos said. “I think I could have scored a couple, but I think from now on if everyone puts their best foot forward and we get chances, we just have to finish it.

“The sky’s the limit.”

On a night when Australia booked its place in the round of 32, Bos played like a man intent on pushing that ceiling even higher.

Herrington steps into the spotlight

While Bos tore down one side, another story unfolded quietly on the opposite flank.

Lucas Herrington, just 18, became the youngest Australian ever to start a World Cup match, taking Irankunda’s short-lived record in the process. There was no fanfare from him, no sign he was weighed down by the occasion or the talk swirling around his future.

Herrington has already attracted attention from major European clubs, including Barcelona, but he spoke like a player determined not to let the noise seep into the dressing room.

“I’m here at the World Cup, so that’s my main focus. I just want to help the team as much as possible, and we can deal with that after,” he said.

Irankunda, who knows what it is to be thrust into the spotlight after signing for Bayern Munich at 17, sees the same raw potential — and the same dangers.

“He’s so talented and I feel like this is just a glimpse of what he can do, a small glimpse of what he can do, and I feel like he can just get better from here and I feel like we’ll see a better side to him,” Irankunda said.

“I’ve just told him to try to stay away from it [the speculation around his future].”

Herrington had to wait for his opportunity, watching from the bench in Australia’s first two games. No complaints, no sulking. Just patience.

“It’s my first World Cup at 18. It’s in probably everyone’s best interest for a young player just to watch and observe the first couple of games,” he said after his debut. “I’m just grateful my opportunity came out and I really enjoyed it. I loved it every minute.”

A new edge to the Socceroos’ future

Australia’s progression was secured without a goal on the night, but the mood around the camp felt anything but flat. Between Bos rampaging from right back and Herrington’s assured introduction on the left of the back three, the Socceroos didn’t just advance. They revealed a glimpse of what their next generation might look like when the stakes rise again in the round of 32.

If this is only a “small glimpse” of what these two can do, as Irankunda insists, the real question isn’t whether Australia can keep up at this World Cup.

It’s how far this fearless young core can drag the country in the ones to come.