15/06/2026

SPORTS MONDAY | JUNE 15, 2026

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2026 WORLD CUP ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi’ Australia stun Turkey after selection gamble pays off A USTRALIA scored a stunning 2-0 upset over Turkey in their World Cup Group D opener yesterday as coach Tony Popovic’s bold selection gamble paid off. Nestory Irankunda Turkish defence and sent Irankunda racing in on goal to score.

equalised three minutes later after Abdulkerim Bardakci’s piledriver from outside of the area hurtled towards goal. But Beach got the slightest of fingertips to divert the ball onto the post and Australia survived again. Beach kept up his commanding form in the sec ond half, turning a Guler free-kick wide for a corner on 57 minutes. With Beach continuing to make save after save, Australia made the game safe in the 75th minute when Metcalfe picked the ball up in midfield, advanced on goal and shot home from 25 yards. The win leaves Australia level on three points with Group D leaders the United States, with the two teams due to meet in Seattle on Saturday. – AFP

Vice-captain Jackson Irvine was also dropped in favour of 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler in a starting XI that fea tured 10 World Cup debutants. Both of those selections proved to be inspired, with Beach pulling off a string of fine saves to deny Turkey, who dominated possession and territory but could not find a way past the Australian goal keeper. Okon Engstler meanwhile was instru

and Connor Metcalfe scored the goals and rookie goalkeeper Patrick Beach produced a string of crucial saves to help secure a famous Australian victory at Vancouver’s BC Place Stadium in Canada. 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.

Turkey – 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 the European Champions League were unable to get to grips with a well-organised Socceroos line-up. One of Turkey’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

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mental in setting up the open ing goal in the first half, unfurling a long ball that split the

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deep in the Australia half, and the 21 year-old midfielder pumped the ball upfield for Irankunda.

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The Australia winger still had plenty to do but a clever first touch took him clear of the covering defence before he tucked away a low finish. Irankunda cele brated by sprint ing to the edge of

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Connor Metcalfe celebrates after scoring Australia’s second goal during yesterday’s World Cup Group D match against Turkiye at BC Place in Vancouver. – REUTERSPIC

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the pitch and pretending to box the corner flag, mimick ing former Australia skipper Tim Cahill’s sig nature goal celebra tion. Turkey

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on goalkeeper Patrick Beach to repel several Turkish attacks before punishing their opponents on the counterattack. For Turkey, the defeat came as a major setback after a qualifying campaign that had raised hopes of a deep run at the World Cup. Montella did not hide his disap pointment but urged his players to remain calm with two group matches still to play. “We are extremely saddened,” the Italian coach said. “We know there is still time to recover in the group stage.” The former Italy international acknowledged that his side never fully settled into the contest and struggled to cope with Australia’s physical approach. “We know that in the beginning, the team has been a little bit slow,” Montella said. Despite enjoying the majority of possession, Turkey found it difficult to break down Australia’s compact defence and were often second best in aerial duels. “They’re very tall, so it’s very diffi cult sometimes,” Montella added, referring to the Socceroos’ physical presence. The Turkish coach was gracious in defeat, however, praising Australia’s performance and organisation. “They have been very good,” he said. – Agencies

AUSTRALIA COACH Tony Popovic hailed his young side’s discipline and resilience after the Socceroos stunned Turkey 2-0 in their opening World Cup Group D match, while Turkish counterpart Vincenzo Montella admitted his team had been physically outmatched and paid the price for a sluggish start. Australia produced one of the early surprises of the tournament in Vancouver, frustrating the fancied Turks before striking through Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe to secure all three points and move level with the United States at the top of the group. An emotional Popovic praised his players for carrying out the game plan to perfection against opponents widely regarded as favourites to advance from the group. “Proud to be here as head coach, to experience this, to put a smile on these people’s faces who have trav elled so far to support us,” Popovic said after the match. “I’m just happy for a wonderful young group of men.” Australia entered the tournament with modest expectations after being drawn alongside the United States, Turkey and Paraguay, but Popovic had insisted before the game that his side was capable of competing with anyone if they remained organised. The Socceroos delivered exactly that, defending resolutely and relying

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