The Socceroos' World Cup opener has arrived, with Vancouver hosting Australia's clash against Turkey. The United States, Australia's second opponent, currently top Group D after a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Scroll down to follow all the action.
Wild Scenes in Vancouver
It is a green-and-gold takeover in Vancouver. Travelling Socceroos fans have filled the city centre on their way to BC Place, with 500 members of the Green and Gold Army fan group marching towards the stadium. Hundreds more will join them inside for Australia's first meeting with Turkey since 2004.
The Socceroos are underdogs against the world No. 22, whose captain Hakan Calhanoglu said on Friday he expected Turkey to dominate as they are 'more talented.' But Australian star Jackson Irvine believes there is no ceiling on this group, which includes 17 debutants and eight players under 23.
Attackers Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure, and Cristian Volpato bring dynamism, while Paul Okon-Engstler adds drive in midfield. Defender Alessandro Circati could be anything, and 18-year-old centre-back Lucas Herrington is already attracting attention from Barcelona.
'The level of hype around this group has probably never been this high. In my 10 to 12 years, I've never experienced what Mo and Nestor and Ale are probably having now,' Irvine told AAP. 'But they've got that because what their ceiling is, and how high they can go, and what they're doing already compared to where it can lead them, it is so exciting. If you weren't excited as an Australian football fan, you'd be getting it all wrong. It's the time to be excited.'
Turkey have not made the World Cup since reaching the semi-finals in 2002. 'It's a long time, very long time, and everyone is waiting for tomorrow,' Calhanoglu said on Friday. 'I just want to say that we are proud after 24 years to be back again. Everyone knows how it feels and how the pressure at the same time it is for us to represent our nation. So the moment comes now, tomorrow is the day, and we prepare these two or three weeks very good. Our focus is just for the game tomorrow.'
Welcome to the World Cup
The Socceroos' World Cup campaign has finally arrived, just over one year on from securing qualification. Tony Popovic's side face a tough task against Turkey today, the United States next Saturday, and Paraguay the week after. But the new 48-team format allows plenty of wiggle room, with eight of the 12 third-placed teams progressing from the group stage to the first ever Round of 32. That means a first-up win over Turkey today would immediately put the Aussies on the path to the knockout stage. The teams are due out shortly, with kick-off at 2pm AEST.
