Jordan Bos Makes History as Eredivisie Player of the Month
In a remarkable achievement, Jordan Bos has become the first Australian ever to receive the Player of the Month accolade in the Eredivisie. This milestone adds to the excitement of the Socceroos’ recent form on the field.
Joey Lynch reporting on October 11, 2025, 06:23 PM ET
MONTRÉAL, Canada — Tony Popovic, previously guiding the Melbourne Victory, once remarked on the beauty of playing the role of villain to disrupt an opponent’s dream. As the head coach of the Socceroos, he likely felt a similar sense of fulfillment following a stunning 1-0 victory against Canada on Friday evening.
This match, held at Stade Saputo in Montréal, was anticipated as a festive homecoming for Les Rouges, marking their first match in Québec since 2017. With a team boasting several Francophone players and a rising FIFA ranking at number 26, the atmosphere was charged with expectation. Prime Minister Mark Carney and FIFA President Gianni Infantino were present to witness the occasion.
What was expected to be a celebration turned into a night of disappointment for the hosts, who enjoyed 60% possession and outshot Australia 17 to 5, yet ended the game with a 1-0 defeat. Mohamed Toure continued to impress by assisting in the match, which resulted in Nestory Irankunda‘s second international goal in two games, capitalizing on a defensive miscue.
The Canadian side witnessed Paul Izzo set a record with eight saves, intensifying the competition for the Socceroos’ No. 1 goalkeeper spot previously held by Mathew Ryan. This win marked Australia’s seventh consecutive victory and extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games. They joined a select group of teams, including Argentina and Mexico, to defeat Canada within 90 minutes since the appointment of Jesse Marsch.
Marsch reflected on the disappointment felt by the players post-match, stating they wanted to energize the crowd, which had turned after constant failures to capitalize on their scoring opportunities.
By the match’s conclusion, the initial jubilance from the crowd had vanished, replaced by boos as fans expressed their frustration over the inability to break through Izzo’s steadfast defense. One of Izzo’s standout saves came in the dying moments of the game, denying a clear chance from Liam Millar to Jacob Shaffelburg.
“I’m incredibly pleased with my performance,” Izzo said, surprised by the opportunity to play. “I just tried to seize the moment.” Meanwhile, the Canadian players displayed their frustration, as Joel Waterman and Tani Oluwaseyi found themselves in a scuffle with Irankunda late in the game.
After the match, Popovic expressed pride in Irankunda’s performance, praising him as a young talent continuing to grow. He noted that both Irankunda and Toure were instrumental despite their youth.
Ultimately, Australia’s approach was characterized by resilience, absorbing pressure from Canada and capitalizing on their moments. While boos echoed through the stadium, players like Connor Metcalfe continued to contribute significantly to the team’s strategy.
Despite the challenges presented by Canada’s pressing style, Popovic acknowledged the need for improvement in maintaining possession and adapting their play style ahead of their next match against the United States. He remarked, “Would I have liked us to do more with the ball? Yes.” The upcoming encounter promises to be another crucial step as Australia approaches the 2026 World Cup.
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