Total disappointment! Ex-Sporting man loses in Australia-Turkey | OneFootball

Turkey got off to the worst possible start in the World Cup by losing 2-0 to Australia in their opening Group D match. In the Turks’ return to the biggest international tournament, 24 years after their historic appearance in 2002, the Australians were extremely pragmatic and punished the Crescent Stars’ lack of finishing. Former Sporting player Merih Demiral started and played the full 90 minutes.

The Oceania side had less possession and created fewer chances, but showed exemplary defensive organization. On the other side, Turkey, who had former Benfica players Kerem Aktürkoglu and Orkun Kökçü in the starting eleven, tried to take control of the game from the outset, largely through Arda Güler, who was responsible for much of the team’s creativity. Even so, they were always met by an Australian wall.

After a few Turkish warning signs, it was Australia who took the lead in the 28th minute. Paul Okon-Engstler played Nestory Irankunda through, and the young forward burst down the left before beating Ugurcan Cakir with a precise finish, becoming the youngest ever Socceroos player to score at a World Cup, at 20 years old. It is worth remembering that Zeno Debast is expected to miss the entire group stage of the competition.

Turkey’s response came almost immediately, but Patrick Beach shone by tipping Abdulkerim Bardakci’s dangerous effort onto the post, preserving Australia’s lead before the break. In the second half, the pattern remained the same. Turkey controlled possession, looked for spaces and pushed Australia back, but repeatedly came up against the Socceroos’ defensive discipline.

With the Turks increasingly exposed in search of an equalizer, the final blow came in the 75th minute. Connor Metcalfe collected the ball on the edge of the box and tried his luck from distance, seeing his shot fly in just inside the right post. Mehdi Demiral’s national team face Paraguay in the next round on June 20.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.