Australia ambush Turkiye in Vancouver

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP):

Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe scored and Australia spoiled Turkiye's return to the World Cup for the first time in 24 years with a 2-0 victory on Saturday night.

Goalkeeper Patrick Beach made eight saves for the Socceroos in their group opener as FIFA President Gianni Infantino looked on. Australia were playing in their sixth straight World Cup and seventh overall.

Turkiye reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup, but then missed five straight tournaments before qualifying this year by beating Kosovo in a play-off.

Irankunda broke through for the Socceroos in the 27th minute with a low shot while pursued by three defenders. It came less than a minute after the first-half  hydration break.

Irankunda celebrated by punching the corner flag in a tribute to Australian football legend Tim Cahill. The 20-year-old who plays for Watford is the Socceroo's youngest-ever goal scorer at a World Cup.

Minutes later Beach stopped Abdulkerim Bardakcı's blast from distance. Beach started in goal for the Socceroos rather than experienced counterpart Matthew Ryan in a surprise decision from coach Tony Popovic.

Irankunda said the Socceroos took issue with comments Turkey captain Hakan Calhanoglu made a day before the match, proclaiming that his side had “more qualities and a more talented team”.

“Yeah, it was extra motivation,” Irankunda said. “Obviously, we don't like people to talk bad about us because we're a great team. People underestimate us.”

Kenan Yildiz, a 21-year-old who plays for Juventus, was not in the starting line-up but subbed in for Turkiye at half-time.

Turkiye had a dangerous free kick in the 57th minute, but Arda Güler's attempt was saved by Beach. Güler, a talented 21-year-old attacking midfielder who plays for Real Madrid, was not yet born the last time Turkiye played in the World Cup.

Connor Metcalfe capitalised on Ismail Yüksek's turnover in the 75th minute to double the Socceroos' lead. The Socceroos fell to France in the opener in Qatar, but then beat Tunisia and Denmark in their group before getting knocked out by eventual champions Argentina in the round of 16.

Turkiye maintained 72 per cent of possession during the match and outshot the Socceroos 30-9, but couldn't manage to score.

“I respect Australia very much. I was expecting that they would play in this way,” said Turkiye coach Vincenzo Montella, who took the team to the quarter-finals of the European championships in 2024. “This is football. As for the critics, nobody has underestimated Australia, actually.”

It is the third World Cup appearance for the Turks, who reached the tournament for the first time in 1954.