Soccer: Can our Aussies make some noise at the World Cup, starting with their clash against Turkiye?
The Socceroos open their tournament in Vancouver as they look to overcome the odds and earn a result against the nation that is ranked No.22 in the world.
Tony Popovic’s side are eyeing a statement after Turkiye captain Hakan Calhanoglu said in the lead-up to the match that he expected his side to dominate as they are “more talented”.
Will our boys get the job done? Stay across the blog for all the updates as we prepare for kick-off at 2pm EST / midday WA time.
Beach again!
Yurkiye take another shot at Beach from a free kick and he keeps them out again.
The bane of Turkiye!
AUS 2 - 0 TUR 86’
Fans jump for joy
The watch parties in Perth are going off after Metcalfe made it 2-0.
Also, Aziz Behich, who put Australia through to the World Cup, and Jackson Irvine are on for Bos and Okon-Engstler.
Save!
Beach keeps Australia 2-0 up!
The man from Melbourne City stops a strong header from point blank range.
Thankfully the shot was straight at him but it was very close range.
AUS 2 - 0 TUR 78’
METCALFE!!!!!
The Aussies are in dream land!
Metcalfe has found a goal from nowhere!
Turkiye’s defenders dropped back from him as he found space in the centre of the park and he just calmly made his way forward before cutting the shot across the goal and into the bottom right corner.
What are we witnessing!?
AUS 2 - 0 TUR 74’
More changes
The Socceroos are bringing Yengi into the contest for Toure who has been cramping after a power of work.
Italiano is also off for Geria.
Stressful!
Australia are defending at all costs.
Bodies are being thrown around everywhere with the Socceroos dropping as deep as they can in the low block.
Turkiye dominate the stats with 66 per cent possesion, down from 70 at halftime, 20 shots and 30 touches in the attacking box.
However, the metric that measures how many goals they could have generated from their work is almost the same as Australia showing that much of their work, and stats, have been meaningless.
However, the Socceroos will be desperate for a second goal to give them some breathing room.
AUS 1 - 0 TUR 70’
Aussies sub
The goal-scorer Irankunda gets an ovation as he comes to the bench.
Fellow attacker Nishan Velupillay is into the game as Turkiye put together their most dangerous patch of the game.
AUS 1 - 0 TUR 62’
Life’s a Beach!
In just his fourth game Beach is having a brilliant game.
Turkiye get a dangerous free kick perfectly placed outside the box.
They take a shot at goal but the Aussie keeper dives low to his right and saves a goal.
The Aussies settle for clearing the ball for a corner and then see that off as well.
A big Turkiye bullet staved off.
AUS 1 - 0 TUR 58’
Clear chance
Toure and Bos combine for a big counter.
Toure ran the ball to the edge of the box before laying it off to Bos.
He cut inside but his shot was deflected for a corner.
O’Neill’s corner was too high for Souttar and Italiano tried a speclative shot and missed by miles.
AUS 1 - 0 TUR 49’
Back underway
Turkiye start the second half but Australia stop them short of the box.
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