It was the selection shock of the year.
In his first ever World Cup team, Tony Popovic incredibly opted against starting Australia’s captain Mat Ryan or vice-captain Jackson Irvine.
Instead, he put his faith in 22-year-old Patrick Beach in goal, and Paul Okon-Engstler in midfield against a Türkiye side packed with talent.
He explained his decision before kick-off with a pretty flat-batted answer.
“I just wanted to play Patrick (Beach). The decision was to play Patrick,” he told SBS.
And did it pay off.
In the lead up to Australia’s first goal, Beach made a solid save from Turkish star Arda Güler, before distributing to Okon-Engstler.
His pass found Nestory Irankunda, who muscled his way into the Turkish box and calmly slotted home to put Australia in front.
Just minutes later, Beach produced a stunning save, one of the best of the tournament so far, to deny Türkiye, tipping a scorching shot onto the upright.
Time and again, Türkiye ran into the roadblock of Patrick Beach. He finished with eight saves all up, many of them sensational, in an inspired World Cup debut.
The decision to start Beach brought back memories of Guus Hiddink’s 2006 move, when he put AC Milan’s Zeljko Kalac in goal for the Socceroos game against Croatia, instead of incumbent Mark Schwarzer.
Kalac went on to have a howler. Beach did not.
He was imperious between the sticks, making saves and commanding his area, as Australia withstood wave after wave of Turkish attacks.
Meanwhile anyone who was suspicious of Okon-Engstler’s spot in the World Cup squad given his dad is an assistant would have spat out their cereal when he unseated Irvine in the starting 11.
But those doubts were unquestionably quashed with an impressive midfield display, which included the ball that released Irankunda for the Socceroos’ opening goal.
He also cut off numerous Turkish advances, and paired well with Aiden O’Neill through the middle of the park.
The showing of both Okon-Engstler and Beach vindicated Popovic’s decision, and proved the coach trusts each and every player in his 26-man squad.
Connor Metcalfe (front) and the Socceroos revel in their 2-0 win. (Getty Images)
Popovic had a big call to make across his back three: the teenage star or the experienced hand?
Lucas Herrington had been very solid against Mexico and Switzerland, and has attracted interest from Spanish giants Barcelona since this World Cup began, but Popovic decided Cameron Burgess was his man.
Whether he was worried the younger Herrington would be overwhelmed by the moment, or if it was tactical, it was still a surprise.
Herrington, Harry Souttar and Alessandro Circati appeared to have the back three spots nailed down, but Burgess did not let his coach down.
With a grudge-match against the USA looming, and the chance to book a spot in the round of 32, the question now surrounds what side will he pick.
Does Popovic back in his side again, or does he pick a horses-for-courses team? It’s hard to see Beach or Okon-Engstler being put back on the bench, but as we learnt today, Popovic doesn’t mind springing a surprise.
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