Tony Popovic sprung a number of selection shocks when he named his XI for the Socceroos’ World Cup opener against Turkey — and the biggest came inbetween the posts.
Mat Ryan, who was widely tipped to be Australia’s No.1 goalkeeper in the lead-up to the tournament was benched in favour of 22-year-old Patrick Beach.
In only his third game in the green and gold, the Melbourne City shotstopper was given the monumental role of replacing one of the Socceroos’ most reliable players.
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And it wasn’t the first time Australia had made a shock decision between the sticks, with coach Guus Hiddink pulling a similar move in 2006.
Ahead of the Socceroos’ crucial clash against Croatia, Hiddink called on Zeljko Kalac to replace Mark Schwarzer.
Kalac made a crucial error to hand over a 2-1 lead after around 60 minutes, but was saved by Harry Kewell who drew the scores level in the 79th minute to see Australia progress through to the Round of 16.
Shades of Hiddink’s decision lingered when Beach was named against Turkey.
But their performances couldn’t have been more different, with the Sydney native delivering an all-time display to turn Turkey’s shots away time and time again.
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“Yeah, over the moon, I’m feeling so happy right now. Just buzzing with the result, buzzing with the boys, the staff as you saw out there and the crowd,” Beach said to SBS.
“The amazing crowd that turned out tonight and all the fans. It’s unbelievable and everyone back home in Australia, we know what this sport and what this result does for the whole country. So yeah, just over the moon.”
Beach finished with an 8.0 rating on FotMob, the equal highest of the contest alongside Paul Okon-Engstler, making eight saves.
Turkey had a total of 30 shots and 53 touches inside Australia’s box, but still couldn’t manage to find the back of the net.
“We speak about it so much in Australian football .. these young kids, they have the ability, they’ve been given the opportunity, and if you back them, they won’t let you down,” Socceroos legend Mark Milligan said on SBS.
To which fellow great Tommy Oar replied: “100%, I think that’s been proven time and time again and you’ve got to take your hat off to Popovic for backing them in such an important game.
“They’ve repaid the faith so far.”
Speaking after the clash, Beach explained that he found out he would be starting three days prior to the clash.
“I found out a few days ago and my immediate reaction was real excitement and joy and an understanding of what my role was to be played,” he said.
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“And having the backing from the boss and the coaching staff and the boys as well. Always instils me with a lot of confidence to go out there and play my game.”
As for his saves, Beach couldn’t pinpoint one as his favourite.
“Yeah, I think they’re all good saves. I can’t remember half of them now. It’s such a blur,” he said.
“So much just happened out there. But I think there’s some saves down there, maybe the one on the post or the one in the first half.
“I just made myself big as possible, you know, but I’d have to look back and see all the other ones. But they’re the two I can think of only right now.”
Alongside Beach, Okon-Engstler was another surprise selection, while Popovic made the decision to start livewire Nestory Irankunda over Matt Leckie, and he scored a crucial goal.
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In the end, all of Popovic’s decisions paid off in a big way.
“The young boys, this is their first game on this big stage. They’ll go into the next game licking their lips. They will want to play tomorrow, the US,” Oar said.
“They won’t want to wait a whole week.
“It’s a dream start to the tournament in terms of calming the nerves, Popa being justified in his selections and now having breathing space in that regard too with the full trust of the nation.
“So it’s just exciting times.”