Updated June 14, 2026 — 8:11pm,first published 7:55pm
Before the starting line-ups dropped an hour out from kick-off, nobody knew if Nestory Irankunda would start in the Socceroos’ opening World Cup game against Turkey, or whether coach Tony Popovic would prefer to make use of his livewire attacker off the bench.
Certainly, nobody expected the head coach to start Paul Okon jnr in midfield ahead of experienced vice-captain Jackson Irvine, nor Patrick Beach in goal over captain Mat Ryan. Connor Metcalfe’s role, too, was unclear, given he had started Australia’s first warm-up friendly against Mexico but not their second against Switzerland.
Yet, these bold selection choices, moulded to fit a specific system, turned out to be key ingredients in the two goals that headlined Sunday’s famous win in Vancouver.
This was a game replete with transition moments and, in Popovic’s defensive set-up, Australia’s best route to goal. Irankunda’s opener was an exhibition in just how lethal a lightning-fast counter-attack can be when executed with perfect timing and flair.
