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Goals in each half from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe saw Australia shock Turkey 2-0 in their opening World Cup Group D clash in Vancouver.
Tony Popovic’s side were considered big underdogs ahead of the game at BC Place, but they produced a disciplined display to record just their fifth World Cup victory and their second win in their opening fixture at the tournament, with young goalkeeper Patrick Beach the hero.
The 22-year-old was handed a surprise competitive Socceroos debut in place of the more experienced Mat Ryan, but did not let his side down with a string of impressive stops – the most so far by any ‘keeper in the tournament – to frustrate Turkey, the best coming when he tipped Abdulkerim Bardakci’s long-range strike on to the post to preserve his team’s slender lead.
Earlier, Watford striker Irankunda had shown great skill and composure to fire Australia into a 27th-minute lead on the counter, before Metcalfe’s low drive from distance sealed the victory with a quarter of an hour to go.
The key moments from Vancouver
- 27: Guler fires a close-range volley straight at Beach.
- 27: GOAL! Just 18 seconds later Irankunda fires Australia ahead on the break.
- 30: Beach tips Bardakci’s long-range drive on to the post.
- 72: Beach is there again to deny Zeki Celik with an impressive near-post stop.
- 75: GOAL! Metcalfe doubles the Socceroos lead with a low drive from distance.
