Australia’s Connor Metcalfe scored the Socceroos’ second goal in their 2-0 win over Turkey in World Cup Group D, but the team’s focus has quickly shifted to recovery after a grueling travel schedule.
Metcalfe reflects on special moment
“It’s crazy to score, to get the win. I mean, you couldn’t ask for a better start, could you?” Metcalfe said, speaking at the team’s training base in Oakland barely 22 hours after the historic scenes in Vancouver. “The amount of messages I’ve received, the fact that my family, my loved ones, could be there was super special, so [it is] a memory I’ll never forget.”
Late-night travel takes toll
The Socceroos bussed out of BC Place after midnight, straight to Vancouver airport for their flight back to Oakland after 2am. They did not get back to their rooms to sleep until 5am. “The game was pretty late in general and usually after games I struggle to sleep,” said Metcalfe. “It’s pretty unusual to fly straight back, especially being so late, but it’s probably better to get back as soon as possible.”
Recovery key ahead of US clash
The Socceroos already have one eye on the mouthwatering clash against tournament co-hosts the United States on Friday in Seattle (Saturday AEST). But for now, the focus is on recovery. “[I had] about four or five hours of sleep, I’m just pretty knackered to be honest, I need a good day off tomorrow and then get back into it,” Metcalfe said.
His 75th-minute strike secured arguably the Socceroos’ greatest World Cup victory, against an opponent many had described as dark horses before the tournament.
Youthful lineup shines
They did so with a starting line-up with an average age of 24. Defender Cam Burgess, at 30, was the oldest, after he was preferred to Lucas Herrington on the left side of the central defenders. Behind him was 22-year-old Patrick Beach in goal. Jordy Bos, 23, was to his left, Paul Okon-Engstler, 21, played ahead of him in midfield and 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda, who scored the opener, was on the left wing.
“There’s nothing they really need to lean on me for,” Burgess said. “Obviously I might have to do that and I believe that’s a big part of my role in the team, to be the experienced one and to calm things down at times and just be a voice as well. But those guys are on a good trajectory in their careers, and I think they showed last night what they can do.”
Training updates
At training on Sunday afternoon in Oakland (Monday morning AEST), Aiden O’Neill walked around the ground, as the starters ran light laps. He was described as “a little bit sore” by Metcalfe. The remainder of the squad played small sides games. O’Neill and Metcalfe were the only players – apart from the central defenders and Beach – who were not substituted. “Probably the last 15 minutes, I was looking over at the bench waiting for a sub, but I stuck out there and just had to dig deep,” Metcalfe said.
Mental recovery also important
Recovery for the Socceroos this week will also be mental, but Burgess believes the group is sufficiently grounded to not get ahead of themselves. “It’s, I guess, the Aussie way, and it’s just instilled in us to take it one game at a time and enjoy the moment with your friends and family and teammates and just focus on the next [game] and work hard and go again.”
Burgess happy with decision
Burgess was born in Scotland but spent his teens in Perth. He represented the country of his birth at junior levels, before committing to Australia in 2014. Alongside Harry Souttar – another Aberdeen-born Socceroo – Burgess watched Scotland’s first-up victory over Haiti, their first win at a World Cup in 36 years. Souttar’s brother John was on the bench for Scotland. Despite the emotion around Scotland’s World Cup return, Burgess said he had no regrets about committing to Australia. “I’m more than happy where I’m at right now,” he said. “What’s just gone on in the last 24 hours has been some of the best moments of my career so far and I just can’t wait to hopefully go out there and do it again.”
