Australia don start dia 2026 World Cup campaign with a sweet 1-0 victory over Turkey for Vancouver. Di match wey dem play for BC Place Stadium see di Socceroos defend well and score from counterattack.
Nestory Irankunda score di only goal of di match for di first half. Di young Watford man pick pass from Okon-Engstler, cut inside, hold im balance, and fire low for di near post. Pure counterattacking brilliance.
Turkey dominate possession with 70-30 split, but dem no fit break down di organised Australian defence. Di Socceroos defensive web block almost all Turkish passing lanes. Di European side get plenty ball but no get clear chances.
Australia keeper Cameron Beach make some important saves. He tip a rasping drive from Bardacki onto di post and also save from Guler free kick. Di young keeper show good composure for im World Cup debut.
Tony Popovic im big calls pay off well. He pick Okon-Engstler over Jackson Irvine for midfield and also start Irankunda wey score. Di coach go full Simeone style with im outfit for sideline.
Turkey try to up tempo for second half with Kenan Yildiz coming on, but di Socceroos hold firm. Souttar win aerial battles for defence and midfield work hard to protect di lead.
Di win put Australia for good position for Group D wey also include USA and Paraguay. Di Socceroos dey aim to reach knockout stage for di third time after 2006 and 2022.
Back home, young fans dey celebrate di victory. Pagewood FC player Sam Butcher say im go barrack for Jordan Bos. Juliet Kacen wey be nine-year-old fan say di team should have fun and win.
Australia next match go be against USA on Saturday June 20 at 5am AEST. Di team go hope to build on dis solid start and secure qualification for round of 16.
