by
Just as they did when the Socceroos defeated Japan in 2006, the world’s media have been asking where did that come from?
Australia silenced a lot of doubters on Sunday with a remarkable 2-0 win against Turkiye in Vancouver inspired by goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe either side of half time as well as goalkeeper Patrick Beach’s stunning World Cup debut.
UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America’s 250th anniversary | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
While Beach became an instant national hero when most of the Australian public would not have recognised him in the street before kick off, Irankunda has made the biggest splash abroad.
The Watford winger understandably has a natural following in England, but despite a breakout season in the Championship, the 20-year-old’s journey, as well as his blistering pace and sublime skill, has captured the imagination.
The BBC’s Chris McKenna hailed Irankunda’s rise from refugee to World Cup star.
“It is just the latest step on an incredible journey for the once refugee who, just a year ago, was learning from Harry Kane at Bayern Munich,” he wrote.
Meanwhile, The Sun had the Socceroos and Irankunda front and centre on their website – ahead of Scotland who won earlier in the day – with the headline ‘Watford star born in refugee camp scores historic World Cup goal’.
Football website FourFourTwo went harder with the headline ‘The new Michael Owen?’ as they noted Irankunda’s goal had similarities to the Ballon d’Or winner’s goal against Argentina in 1998.
READ MORE
TALKING POINTS: Brutal truth for lippy US; Socceroos’ $870m miracle explained
PLAYER RATINGS: Goalie gamble gets perfect 10 as next gen proves the world wrong
WE’VE SEEN THIS BEFORE! Irankunda’s nod to Socceroos legend after WC stunner
‘It’s a Nestory moment in Vancouver!’ | 00:30
The UK and Irish coverage of the Socceroos’ win had an Australian flavour to it as Ange Postecoglou was on ITV’s panel.
The former Socceroos and Tottenham manager was another full of praise for his Australia’s star boy.
“It doesn’t matter what level of football you play at, in the park or World Cup, that is fantastic speed,” Postecoglou told ITV.
“A massive moment,” he added. “Sometimes in World Cups, you just need a good couple of weeks and your whole world can change. Let’s hope that is the start for him.”
It might just be the start for Tony Popovic’s side this tournament too.
The Athletic have now given Australia an 85 per cent of making out of the group in their projections, while there are several nervy Americans after shooting their mouths off pre-tournament.
Metcalfe worldie seals victory for Aus! | 00:29
Most notably former MLS player Mike Grella has seemingly gone into hiding.
He said Australia would be a “lay up” for the USA, while firing barbs the Socceroos’ way before their tournament opener against Türkiye.
“I look at their team and I don’t recognise any players in the team,” he said on CBS Sports Golazo.
“I’m not kidding when I say this, what are they drinking over there? Because they have no shot of doing anything at the World Cup. They are the weakest team in the group.”
Now, some of Grella’s fellow US pundits are worried about his words coming back to bite them big time when the co-hosts meet Australia in Seattle at 5am AEST on Saturday morning.
“Grella’s going to be hired as their motivational speaker at this point,” former US midfielder Benny Feilhaber said on CBS Sports Golazo.
“He willed them to three points yesterday.”
“Everybody keeps discounting Australia and that seems to be not the right thing to do,” former US defender Jimmy Conrad replied.
“So, thanks Grella. We appreciate that.”
Stateside there has also been some more in depth analysis of how Popovic masterminded Australia’s victory.
Although, those discussions have come from non-Americans.
The Athletic’s senior football writer Simon Hughes, who was in Vancouver, joined CBS Sports Golazo to make sense of just how Australia’s fifth ever World Cup win came to be.
“They were street wise,” he said. “Some of the darker arts in the game, they weren’t afraid to get involved in that side of it.”
In a post-match column, Hughes urged his readers to “never underestimate true Australian grit”.
READ MORE
Losing skipper doubles down, tunnel sledge outed as Roos star rips ‘s*** talking’ Turks
‘Could save the Titanic’: Popa’s all-time selection stunner pays off after rising star’s masterclass
Why Socceroos already have one foot in World Cup knockout stage after epic opening game upset
“What a save!” Beach goes full stretch | 00:22
He elaborated on that comment in his chat with CBS.
“Australia, what really impressed me about them, was they really understood what their limitations were and they got the maximum out of what they could do,” Hughes added.
“You know what, I think they deserved to win. The game isn’t always defined by who had the most shots and the most possession. Sometimes it can be quite misleading.
“I always felt like Australia had control of what was going on. Occasionally they needed the goalkeeper to step in and do his thing, but that’s what goalkeepers are there for. People forget this.
“It was a really encouraging performance. I really felt in Vancouver yesterday that they really had the fans behind them. That’s a massive thing in World Cup football.
“A lot of nations’ fans turn up and want the team to do well, but Australia really, really believed they could effect this game and make an imprint on this tournament.
“I think they’re going to be quite difficult to stop. The US, if they underestimate them, might have a few problems.”
Scroll through social media and you will soon realise that Australia’s gritty display has made the Socceroos many people from other nations’ second team this World Cup.
There has been plenty of jokes likening Australia’s defensive approach to Arsenal’s triumphant Premier League or calling it ‘Haram Ball’ – a joking term for ultra-defensive, “anti-football” tactics.
Regardless, many football fans were captivated by the electric pace of Australia in attack, while they were impressed by their resolute defending.
Comedian and football lover Trevor Noah summed up on the Men in Blazers podcast why there is something special about Popovic’s team.
“Australia has giants at the back. You don’t just swing the ball in and hope for the best against Australia,” he said.
“If there’s one thing the Socceroos know how to do, it’s compact their defence, make sure that nothing gets in. You score by keeping it on the floor against these boys and they didn’t pick that up.
“And their new attack up top is completely different to what we’ve seen in years before from like the (Tim) Cahill and Harry Kewell days.
“This was fast. It was like a lightning quick counter-attack and can I tell you, that boy (Jordan) Bos, number five. Yo, yo, I want to see which team he’s (playing for next)… that man is silky on the ball!”
Off the pitch, Australia have also won new fans with a touching video from before the tournament recirculating after the win against Turkiye.
It included players sharing their backgrounds and discussing how the Socceroos are the best representation of modern Australia, including the line of “our diversity is our strength”.
It is why they might just be the feel good team of this World Cup.
