Australia went to Canada to see about a Turkiye, and Irankunda Little, and Met(a)calfe

 1/13ths of the World Cup

 

 

The United States' victory over Paraguay meant that Australia and Turkiye needed a win not to get left in the chasing pack. Australia have never made it past the Round of 16 at a World Cup. Turkiye, though only at their 3rd World Cup, finished in 3rd place in 2002. Head to Head, Australia had not beaten Turkiye ever, losing both friendlies played in May of 2004. This warm evening in Vancouver would tell a different tale. Nestory Irankunda would score the opening goal in the 27th minute to put Australia ahead. Turkiye would dominate the match in many statistics such as their 30 shots to Australia's 9, 90% passes completed to Australia's 74%, 8 corners to Australia's 5, and 13 free kicks to Australia's 7. Australia was also contending with the mysterious absence of Mathew Ryan, the experienced goalkeeper and captain of the team who found himself observedly unhappy to be starting on the bench. In his stead was 22 year old Patrick Beach who was able to keep a clean sheet against the Turkish onslaught. it was Connor Metcalfe who put the nail in Turkiye's coffin for the night with a goal in the 75th minute. Australia trail the United States only on goal differential. Turkiye sit currently in third for the same reason. 

 

 

With the only perfect pick on the day thanks to Scotland's 1-0 victory over Haiti, our outstanding performance goes to a competitor who has started slowly but may be heating up. Jumping up 2 spots with his daily high of 12 points, congratulations to Historicus.

 

 

The next matches will start in roughly one hour. If you watched Australia and Turkiye to the end, I hope you get to take a nap. If not, be ready for the 4 matches that are up and coming.