Australia win 2-0 to spoil Turkiye's return to World Cup stage

VANCOUVER: Australia spoiled Turkiye's return to the World Cup stage after 24 years by securing a 2-0 victory in their Group D opener on Saturday (Jun 13), courtesy of goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe.

Coach Tony Popovic's bold selection gamble paid off as rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a string of crucial saves to help secure a famous Socceroos victory at Vancouver's BC Place Stadium.

Australia coach Popovic had pulled off a massive shock in his starting line-up, dropping experienced captain and goalkeeper Maty Ryan in favour of Beach, winning only his third cap.

Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also dropped in favour of 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler in a first XI that featured 10 World Cup debutants.

Both of those selections proved to be inspired, with Beach pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Turkiye, who dominated possession and territory but could not find a way past the Australian goalkeeper.

Okon-Engstler meanwhile was instrumental in setting up the opening goal in the first half, unfurling a long ball that split the Turkish defence and sent Irankunda racing in on goal to score.

Turkiye - playing in the World Cup for the first time since finishing third at the 2002 tournament - arrived in North America dreaming of making a serious run in the knockout rounds.

But their talented team made up largely of players who regularly compete in Europe's Champions League were unable to get to grips with a well-organised Socceroos line-up.

One of Turkiye's best chances came in the 27th minute when Real Madrid's Arda Guler forced a smart save from Beach with a rasping shot.

Just seconds after that chance though Australia took the lead.

Beach picked out Okon-Engstler deep in the Australia half,