Vancouver: The Socceroos have made a dream start to their World Cup campaign with goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe, and some bold selection calls from coach Tony Popovic, delivering Australia a famous 2-0 win over Turkey.
The decision to drop captain Mat Ryan for unproven goalkeeper Patrick Beach, play 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon jnr ahead of vice-captain Jackson Irvine and to start Irankunda proved to be one of the all-time Socceroo World Cup coaching masterstrokes as all three starred in Australia’s win.
The victory inside a packed BC Place Stadium in Vancouver is the first time the Socceroos have won an opening game at a World Cup in 20 years, and puts Australia well on the path to qualify for the knockout stages of the tournament.
Popovic said he was “proud” of what his team had shown, with 10 members of his starting eleven playing their first World Cup match. Fill-in captain Harry Souttar was the only Australian to have previously played in a World Cup match.
“Proud to be here as head coach. To experience this, put a smile on these people’s faces that have travelled so far to support us. And just happy for a wonderful young group of men,” he told SBS.
“Proud of the staff for the work they put in. Some good decisions there on the sideline. Tried to guide them, tried to support the players. They were outstanding.”
It took only 27 minutes for Popovic’s shock selection calls to be proven correct. Beach saved the first real chance of the game, a shot blasted at the Australian goalkeeper by Turkey’s star midfielder Arda Guler. He then fed the ball to Okon, who threaded it to Irankunda. The Watford attacker then cut inside before scoring with a near-post finish.
“It was quite special to see the young boys combining to score a goal. Can’t underestimate what this will do for their confidence and belief. Emotionally, it will take a lot out of the players, this game, so we’ve got to get back and recover well and focus on the US,” Popovic said.
The classic counter-attack came after Turkey had spent most of the period before that in Australia’s half.
And it was very much the case with the second goal. Metcalfe’s 75th-minute stunner came almost out of nowhere and on the back of some resolute Socceroos defence.
The midfielder picked the ball up just inside Turkey’s half and, with a bit of space and seemingly bereft of other options, he took a settling touch before firing a low left-footed effort behind Turkey’s goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. The match-sealing goal sent the 10,000 Australians inside the stadium into delirium.
Popovic praised the heroics of Beach, widely thought of as Australia’s third-choice goalkeeper in this squad, who was only playing his third international. Ryan, who he replaced, has played 104 matches for Australia.
“It’s something that we’ve always seen, and I’ve got a lot of belief in the young man. He stood up today, so very happy for him.”
Beach’s fingertip save immediately after the Socceroos first goal denied Abdulkerim Bardakci’s long-range effort. He again denied Guler, this time a second-half free-kick attempt, before blocking Kerem Akturkoglu shot at point-blank range in the 78th minute.
Australia’s win now sets up a tantalising match with their next Group D opponents, the US, who won their opening match against Paraguay 3-1.
Nick Ralston is the deputy editor and investigations editor for The Sydney Morning Herald. He has previously spent time as news editor, justice editor and world editor.Connect via X or email.
