Popovic wary of "emotionally draining" victory

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Group D:

Australia 2-0 Turkiye

Goals: N.Irankunda (AUS, 27'), C.Metcalfe (AUS, 75')

Man of the Match: N.Irankunda (AUS)

• Nestory Irankunda becomes Australia's youngest ever goalscorer.
• 22yo Patrick Beach made eight saves after earning the nod over captain Maty Ryan.
• Tony Popovic becomes the first Australian to both play for and manage Australia at a World Cup.

Tony Popovic post-game

“Proud,” Popovic said.

“Proud to be here as a coach, to experience this and put a smile on these people’s faces who have travelled so far to support us. We are just happy for this young group of men.

“At the moment, (I’m) just proud. Proud of the staff for the work they put in. Some good decisions on the sideline, tried to guide and support the players and they were outstanding.

On the decision to start Patrick Beach in goal:

“It is something we have always seen. I’ve got a lot of belief in the young man and he stood up today. Very happy for him.”

On the decision to start Paul Okon-Engstler in goal, and watching he and Nestory Irankunda combine for the opening goal:

“Quite special, you 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.”

On Connor Metcalfe:

“It’s probably the fittest that he’s been with us. He got a couple of games in with St Pauli before he arrived into camp and you can see the benefit of that. He has put in a lot of work, and I’m happy he got a goal because we keep asking him to shoot more, he should do better with his left foot – perfect stage to score.”

On the contest against the US:

“It will be a special game. Being in World Cup games is enough, playing a host nation is enough for us. We will recover well, prepare well and respect a very good US side.”

Key stats

Possession - Australia 28%-72% Turkiye
Shots - Australia 9-30 Turkiye
Shots on target - Australia 4-8 Turkiye
Touches in opposition box - Australia 17-52 Turkiye
Passes - Australia 270-704 Turkiye

Man of the Match: Patrick Beach

Football isn't played on paper!

90+6': FULL TIME

Australia has done it!

Against all odds and all momentum, the Socceroos have beaten Turkiye to open their World Cup captain, claiming a historic 2-0 win in Vancouver!

Nestory Irankunda opened the scoring with a superb solo effort, before Connor Metcalfe's strike from range doubled the advantage despite Turkiye's persistence.

Patrick Beach was astronomical in goal, making nine saves over the course of the match after being selected over captain Maty Ryan.

Harry Souttar, Cam Burgess and Alessandro Circati were massive in defence, while the attacking threat of Mo Toure, Irankunda and Metcalfe operated brilliantly.

It's a huge win in the context of the group, as Australia defeat one of the favourites to advance from Group D.

Full time, Australia 2, Turkiye nil!

90': Six minutes added on.

89': Arda Guler with ANOTHER shot... once again he fails to nail the finish, sending a slow ball straight into the hands of Patrick Beach.

86': Yellow Card

Substitute Yunus Akgun has been booked for a break-halting challenge on Aiden O'Neill.

First booking of the game.

86': Another save Patrick Beach!

Calhanoglu took on the free kick, beating the wall and forcing Beach to push it away down low!

85': SUBSTITUTION

Akturkoglu leavs the pitch, replaced by Deniz Gul.

85': Irvine fouls Akturkoglu within range. Turkiye will have a go from here.

83': SUBSTITUTION

Jordy Bos and Paul Okon-Engstler exit the pitch after mammoth performances.

Vice-captain Jackson Irvine enters the game, as does veteran full back Aziz Behich.

82': Arda Guler has another long range attempt, once again attempting to curl one into the top corner.

Once again, it's well wide.

Turkiye's energy has been sucked out of the game, but they continue to push.

Far from game over.

81': SUBSTITUTION

Ismail Yuksek and Zeki Celik are replaced by Mert Muldur and Salih Ozcan.

78': Turkiye come again!

Patrick Beach forced into another save, this time from point blank range!

A sumptuous ball into the box found the right boot of Akturkoglu - a strike either side of Beach would have brought the game back to just one... but Beach reacts and the scoreline remains 2-0!

75': Connor Metcalfe picks up the ball just beyond the half and drives forward, striking the ball from range and beating the keeper, tucking it into the bottom corner to double Australia's advantage!

Unbelievable strike from Metcalfe for his second goal in the national colours.

Australia 2-0 Turkiye!

75': GOALLLLLLL AUSTRALIAAAAAAAA

CONNOR METCALFE DOUBLES THE LEAD FROM DISTANCE!!!!

AGAINST ALL MOMENTUM, THE SOCCEROOS ARE TWO UP!!!!!!

74': DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION

As expected, Mo Toure's day is over after a solid effort up top.

Tete Yengi is called up for just his second cap with the national team.

Jason Geria also enters the pitch, replacing Jacob Italiano after his best performance in the green and gold.

72': SAVE BEACH!

Hakan Calhanoglu played a BRILLIANT ball in to Celik, who smashes it at the near post, denied by Patrick Beach!

71': We return from the hydration break.

68': HYDRATION BREAK

The Socceroos earn much-needed reprieve as the game comes to a halt for one final hydration break.

Just over 20 minutes to play, Australia are in survival mode.

It remains 1-0.

68': Mo Toure has gone down with cramp.

He will likely be withdrawn.

67': Australia are "a long way from home in more ways than one," as Andy Harper calls on the SEN live call.

65': Another chance Turkiye!

The ball fell to Arda Guler who charged forward, found Akturkoglu in the box but was snuffed out by the Socceroos.

Dangerous, dangerous times for Australia.

63': SUBSTITUTION

Orkun Kokcu is withdrawn for Yunus Akgun.

62': Kenan Yildiz is beginning to cause real problems on Australia's right hand side.

Italiano has been superb all day, but he is really being tested now.

60': SUBSTITUTION

The goalscorer is off!

Nestory Irankunda has been withdrawn from the contest after a brilliant showing in Vancouver.

Nishan Velupillay enters the match.

59': Nishan Velupillay is being readied on the sideline.

56': Another BIG chance Turkiye!

A foul in a dangerous area as Kokcu was taken down by Paul Okon-Engstler after Irankunda lost the ball in the defensive third.

Arda Guler beat the wall, and Patrick Beach was forced into another big save.

Relief!

54': BIG CHANCE AUSTRALIA!

The set piece threat has finally arrived in Vancouver!

A brilliant ball sent in found the head of Harry Souttar who sends the ball towards goal, forcing Cakir into a save.

Great response from the Socceroos against Turkiye's early momentum.

52': Australia are severely under pressure, and must turn play around.

Voluntarily giving away possession, Turkiye are pressing high and forcefully creating chances.

The defence has held brilliantly, but it may not hold for another 40 minutes.

50': Turkiye are threatening, majorly!

Repeat attempts on goal in an attacking flurry well dealt with by the Socceroos, but it's looking ropey behind the ball.

48': Chance Australia!

Mo Toure found Jordy Bos on the left hand side, entering the box and taking on the shot, before being snuffled out.

47': SUBSTITUTION

Kenan Yildiz is on, as expected!

The Juventus star is certain to cause problems, as he replaces Baris Yildiz.

46': We're underway for the second half!

Andy Harper's point of concern from the first half

"Incredible first half," Harper told the SEN live call.

"Apart form the selection discussions which were reverberating around the ground, everyone was imagining how the Socceroos might do this. What's the plan going to be.

"Give or take various names and individuals here and there, that was basically the patters. Brilliant goal from Nestory Irankunda. Let's say, equally brilliant from Patrick Beach to keep it at 1-0.

"Nestory's moment which has given Australia the lead was so hugely exciting. The guy is just so powerful and unstoppable form that sort of range and in that mood.

"But, if Patrick Beach isn't equally as brilliant, we wouldn't be in at half time with the lead that we have.

"Pleasingly, this first half, in a break from tradition under Tony Popovic, was a very good first half, but he has got a lot of work to do now again in the sheds with the boys, because they can't continue for another 45 minutes the way they finished that first half.

"It was desperate, it was get the ball away anywhere. It was like, 'we've run out of gas, we need a break'. You've got your break now, Popovic needs to recharge the batteries and reset the football mentality.

"Before that 40 minutes, including the goal, the way they defended and played otherwise is the form that can get them out of the group.

"The last five minutes, as desperate as the defending was, it isn't going to be good enough to survive this game because you keep inviting Turkiye into that territory, and hacking the ball clear anywhere just to get it out of your back third... eventually, they will find a route to goal.

"That's the point of concern for me."

HALF TIME

Australia lead at the half!

Turkiye has had a large majority of possession, continuing to pressure the Socceroos' backline.

But the defence has held firm!

Very few chances have truly threatened, however, the half time break could not come soon enough as the fatiguing defence looked to be leaking towards the end of the half.

Irankunda has shone so far, comfortably Australia's most dangerous on and off the ball. Arda Guler is well and truly involved, but is yet to nail his output.

Kenan Yildiz will likely enter the game after the break, adding significant threat to a Turkish attack looking to equalise.

Australia hold firm, the first half ends 1-0!

45+4': HUGE CHANCE TURKIYE!

Arda Guler with a wonderful spin into the box, the ball found the feet of a Turkish attacker and Alessandro Circati makes a desperate last-gasp challenge.

Excellent defending!

45': CHANCE AUSTRALIA!

And guess who!

"Nestory Irankunda is frightening the life out of Turkey's defence!" Simon Hill calls as the star wonderkid breaks once more, firing a shot and forcing Cakir into a save.

44': Jacob Italiano has been superb on the right hand side.

Attacked numerous times by winger Baris Yilmaz, Italiano has continued to take care of business.

42': Arda Guler with yet another chance on his left side, but once again, it's well wide.

Two wayward strikes, you'd expect he won't send these chances wide all day.

39': Bos gets involved in the attack, firing away a shot from well outside the box.

Blazed over the bar, but threatening once more.

It remains 1-0 Australia.

36': Turkiye have taken control following Australia's wonderful opener.

Patrick Beach has been called into action, making numerous saves in the last 10 minutes since Irankunda's deadlock breaker.

None more threatening than Bardakci's long attempt.

30': POST!

Turkiye are answering immediately!

A belted long shot from Bardakci is saved wonderfully onto the post by Patrick Beach!

1-0 Australia!

Paul Okon-Engstler plays a beautiful ball over the top on the counter to Nestory Irankunda, who breaks beyond the Turkish defence to open the scoring!

A superb piece of play, Australia are ahead in Vancouver!!!

27': GOALLLLL AUSTRALIAAAAAAAA

NESTORY IRANKUNDA BREAKS THE DEADLOCK!!!!

1-0 AUSTRALIA!!!!

26': We're back underway after a short break.

"In general, the game has followed the pattern that was expected," Andy Harper said on SEN's live call.

"I'm pleased with the first quarter. I think Tony Popovic will be very buoyed. The output has been excellent from the Socceroos."

23': Hydration break!

Turkiye dominating possession but yet to threaten the Socceroos' goal as we head in for drinks in Vancouver.

0-0 thus far.

19': Ferdi Kadioglu fires a shot from range, soaring over the bar.

Turkiye find themselves in another decent shooting position, Australia holding firm behind play.

17': The keeper comes out unconvincingly, doing enough to put off Harry Souttar, who heads the ball out of play.

Two corners early for Australia!

16': Corner Australia!

The ball sprung out to Mo Toure, one on one with Demiral, who stood his ground well.

12': CHANCE!

Jacob Italiano found himself in space on the right hand side, beat the fullback and drove into the box.

The cross was overcooked, and Australia couldn't clean up on the rebound.

A positive start, it remains 0-0.

8': Corner Australia, and the fans are vocal!

7': First shot of the day goes Turkiye's way!

Arder Guler found himself in space towards the edge of the box, attempting to curl one on his left foot and missing wide and high.

6': Australia are allowing Turkiye to own possession, sitting deep as we've seen so often under Tony Popovic.

4': Turkiye earn the first corner of the game, cleared away by Harry Souttar for a reprise corner.

Cagey to start.

WE'RE LIVE!

1': The Socceroos are UNDERWAY in the 2026 World Cup!

Stay with us for play-by-play action as the Aussies open their sixth consecutive World Cup against Turkiye in Vancouver!

Socceroos XI

Right to left:

GK: P.Beach
DEF: J.Italiano | A.Circati | H.Souttar (C) | C.Burgess | J.Bos
MID: A.O’Neill | P.Okon-Engstler
ATT: N.Irankunda | M.Toure | C.Metcalfe

Simon Hill and Andy Harper LIVE!

Sick of the American commentary?

The official broadcast of this year's cup is LIVE, as Simon Hill and Andy Harper kick off the call of Australia's opening World Cup match!

Sync it to your TV and listen LIVE HERE!

The action gets underway at 2pm!

Popovic on decision to drop Maty Ryan

Tony Popovic has revealed his reasons behind the decision to drop kepeer Maty Ryan in favour of Patrick Beach.

According to the Socceroos manager, the explanation is rather simple.

“I just wanted to play Patrick,” Popovic said.

“That’s the one we should focus on.”

Popovic also opted to go with Paul Okon-Engstler and Nestory Irankunda in the starting lineup, making up a very young squad to open the World Cup.

“It’s a youthful lineup,” he said.

“A lot of excitement, a lot of exuberance. I have a lot of trust in these young players, and I’m looking forward to seeing their performance today.”

Why Andy Harper would not have started Irankunda

Nestory Irankunda has been awarded the start in the Socceroos' World Cup opener against Turkiye.

However, Andy Harper would have opted against that call.

"I wouldn't have started him," Harper told SEN's The Global Game.

"Purely on the basis that the data we've been able to aggregate on the Tony Popovic reign is that more often than not, the first half has been pretty poor.

"Popovic's eternal credit, he has done amazing things at half time to turn the ship around, but there has been a really worrying theme of really sloppy first halves.

"Nestory, in that situation, to me, just has his impact completely blunted. Perhaps by starting Nestory today, that can be a catalyst to actually start more on the front foot.

"But in general, there's two or three youngsters in this Socceroos' team with Irankunda leading the charge. His career could be in any positive state by the end of this tournament.

"I'm expecting big things."

FULL TIME!

Scotland have claimed a crucial 1-0 victory over Haiti in Boston!

John McGinn's first half strike proves the difference, as Scotland go top of Group C!

It marks the nation's first World Cup win since 1990!

Up next, Australia versus Turkiye at 2pm!

12:55pm - Is Maty Ryan under injury cloud?

Grace Gill believes that Popovic's decision to drop captain Ryan may be due to injury or illness.

“Initial reaction to that suggests to me that there might be a problem with Maty Ryan,” Gill told SEN’s The Global Game.

“Because he has been starting consistently, he has worked his way really well, he is playing great in club football.

“Patrick Beach has had an excellent season in the A-League, but that is a huge shout if it’s just based on form and purely form. Tony Popovic, that’s a massive decision that he has made.

“Real big question mark over whether Maty Ryan is fit, nonetheless, Patrick Beach in a World Cup debut, that’s very special.”

Brenton Speed does not believe that is the case.

“He is sitting there, on the bench. If you name someone on the bench, they are fit,” Speed said.

“If they were ruled out completely, they wouldn't be there.”

Gill: “It's a really good shout.

“Maty Ryan, vastly experienced player in this side. Over 100 appearances for his country and playing well at Levante.

“Patrick Beach, Australian appearance number three and it's at a World Cup. It's just huge.”

12:41pm - Socceroos XI is IN!

Tony Popovic has selected Australia’s XI for their World Cup opener against Turkiye!

Right to left:

GK: P.Beach
DEF: J.Italiano | A.Circati | H.Souttar (C) | C.Burgess | J.Bos
MID: A.O’Neill | P.Okon-Engstler
ATT: N.Irankunda | M.Toure | C.Metcalfe

Incredibly, Patrick Beach has earned the starting spot over veteran keeper Maty Ryan!

Cam Burgess has been favoured over Lucas Herrington, while vice-captain Jackson Irvine also starts on the bench as Paul Okon-Englster starts.

Turkiye has also selected their XI.

GK: U.Cakir
DEF: Z.Celik | M.Demiral | A.Bardakci | F.Kadioglu
MID: A.Guler | H.Calhanoglu (C) | O.Kokcu | I.Yuksek | B.Yilmaz
ATT: K.Akturkoglu

12:27pm - SEN call LIVE!

SEN's official radio call for the Socceroos' World Cup opener against Turkiye is LIVE!

Join Brenton Speed, Grace Gill and Charli Grant for The Global Game pre-match, before Andy Harper and Simon Hill call the game LIVE from 1:45pm!

12:09pm - Second half kicks off!

We're back for the second half between Haiti and Scotland!

11:52am - Half-time

Scotland lead at the break!

A deflected strike from Super John McGinn marks the difference through 45, as Scotland leads Haiti 1-0.

Chances either way, the underdogs certainly aren't out of this one just yet!

Following this morning's 1-1 draw between Brazil and Morocco, a victory for either side in Boston would be crucial in their bids to advance through Group C.

Another 45 to come!

11:31am - GOAL!

Scotland break the deadlock!

A brilliant piece of play from Ben Gannon-Doak down the wing, sending the ball into the box, where Che Adams had his shot saved by the Haitian goalkeeper.

But, one save wasn't enough, as the rebound fell directly to John McGinn, firing towards goal and deflecting into the back of the net!

1-0 Scotland after 30 minutes!

11:02am - Haiti versus Scotland LIVE!

We're away with the third fixture of Matchday 3, as Haiti and Scotland kick off in Boston!

10:14am - Recap of Matchday 3 so far

We're halfway through the action on the third day of the World Cup.

Matchday three start with the second game in Group B between Switzerland and Qatar.

The Swiss took the lead through a Breel Embolo penalty early in the first half.

They looked set to start their campaign with three points until Qatar scored a 94th-minute equaliser.
While in New York, New Jersey Stadium, Brazil and Morocco played out a 1-1 draw.

8:12am - American pundit slams Socceroos

While the focus this week has mostly been on the Socceroos’ clash against Turkiye, there has been plenty of talk surrounding their second match in Group D against the co-hosts in the United States.

When the draw was confirmed in December, many American pundits were quick to express their excitement by drawing the lowest-ranked side in Pot 2.

One of those in particular has been Mike Grella, who was a former US representative at the youth level, who declared the match a ‘lay-up’, resulting in plenty of backlash from Australian fans.  

And following the US’s dominant 4-1 win against Paraguay on Saturday (AEST), the 39-year-old doubled down on his view.

“I love Australians, and I’m like, maybe they’re right. Then I go look at their team, and I don’t recognise any players in the team,” Grella told CBS Sports Golazo Network.

“I’m not kidding, though, when I say this, what are they drinking over there? Because they have no shot of doing anything at the World Cup.

“They are the weakest team in the group. The US, although they have their weaknesses, they have like eight players in the Champions League and top clubs in Europe.”

If the Socceroos can pull off the win, Grella will be served the biggest slice of humble pie that the world has ever seen.

7am - "More talented": Turkiye captain's brutal Socceroos sledge

Inter Milan veteran Hakan Çalhanoğlu is full of big talk when it comes to his side’s opening World Cup clash against the Socceroos on Sunday (AEST).

Turkiye, ranked 22nd in the world and only five spots higher than Australia, are playing in their first World Cup since 2002, but they are not short on confidence.

Asked what he thought about their opening Group D opponents, the Turkish captain said: “I think that we will dominate.

“We have more qualities and a more talented team, so we will see tomorrow what happens.”

Asked what features they would be cautious of when it comes to the Socceroos, he added: “Our coach analysed them with us together.

“We know that they’re a physical team, that they’re good on the corner kicks and the free kicks because they are tall and strong.”

Turkey have been widely tipped to win the Group which is completed by the USA and Paraguay who played their opening match on Saturday (AEST) with the co-hosts winning 4-1.

Asked about Çalhanoğlu’s comments, Australia coach Tony Popovic said: “I respect his comment, and he has a right to be asked a question, and he has a right to answer it any way he likes.

“They expect to win, but so do most people. They expect Turkiye here to beat Australia tomorrow, so that’s no different.

“So all we can do is try and spoil the party.”