Australia head coach ‘proud’ of young players after stunning Turkey at World Cup
Tony Popovic picked a team with 10 tournament debutants and dropped experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan
Two sublime goals by Australia’s Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe sealed a 2-0 win in Vancouver on Saturday as Turkey suffered defeat on their return to the World Cup after finishing third in 2002.
Paul Okon-Engstler’s perfect long pass over the top allowed Watford’s Irankunda to run onto the ball, but the 20-year-old still had much to do and finished in style.
“Unreal, it is a dream come true. We have got the win now,” said Irankunda, the youngest men’s World Cup scorer for Australia and not a definite starter before kick-off.
“It feels amazing, you have got to thank the staff, thank the nation, they have got the belief in me.”
The 27th-minute goal stung the Turks into action and they later dominated the second half without carving out many clear-cut chances.
They paid for their profligacy as Australia broke on 75 minutes and St Pauli’s Metcalfe was given too much space to advance, finding the near corner from just outside the box.