Down Under echoes in Vancouver; Kangaroos charm the world and "lock down" Turkey

Deadly, tough, disciplined... Australia crushes Turkey in World Cup Group D round 1 (2:0)

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Australia's celebration in Vancouver, Photo: Reuters
Australia's celebration in Vancouver, Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Once the world class of Mark Viduka, Tim Cahill and Harry Kewell, today some new super interesting "kangaroos".

Australia may not have had famous players like the aforementioned stars in recent years, but the "soccerers" still play great football - Turkey felt that in Vancouver.

Deadly in attack, solid in defense, disciplined for the entire 90 minutes - Australia completely stopped Vincenzo Montella's team and recorded a great triumph in the first round of Group D (2:0).

Toni Popović's team scored both goals in just a few moves - Nestorio Irankunda's speed in the 27th minute and Connor Metcalfe's precise left foot in the 75th minute decided the game for the Turks.

A tactical masterpiece practically opened the door to the knockout stage for Australia, with "Down Under" by the country's legendary rock band "Men At Work" echoing through Vancouver after the match.

While the world was waiting to see one of the best Turkish generations, the boys from Australia showed that they didn't come to the World Cup just to participate.

While Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Arda Güler and co. were trying to find the right rhythm, they were checkmated in two moves. Paul Okon-Engstler sent a great pass, and the super-fast Irankund masterfully bypassed Merih Demiral and shook the net.

The young Watford striker also knew how to celebrate his first goal at the World Cup - and in the style of his country's legend Tim Cahill. As usual, the corner flag was "damaged".

Both during the first half and in the second half, Turkey had possession of the ball, and mostly tried to shoot from distance. They had their best chance when Çalhanoğlu brilliantly found Zeki Çelik, and the shot from Roma defender Patrik Bic was saved by the brilliant defender. Before that, Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Çakir saved his national team after a dangerous header from Hari Sutar.

And then, while Turkey was somehow anemicly trying to equalize, Metcalfe's left foot flashed - the St. Pauli midfielder was precise from about twenty meters.

The great triumph with that goal was "locked in" - when few expected it, the "kangaroos" charmed the world.

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