Socceroos ready to seize chance to shock the world

Australia forward Nestory Irankunda plays an international friendly game against Switzerland. Photo: AAP
Young, exuberant and with talent to burn, a new-look Socceroos are ready for their own chance to shock the world.
Australia will kick off their World Cup campaign against Turkey on Sunday afternoon AEST at Vancouverâs BC Place.
The Socceroos are underdogs against the world No.22, whose captain Hakan Calhanoglu only on Friday said he expected Turkey to dominate as they are âmore talentedâ.
But Jackson Irvine believes thereâs no ceiling on this group, with 17 debutants and eight players under 23.

Australia takes on Turkey in Vancouver on Sunday afternoon. Graphic: AAP
Attackers Nestory Irankunda, Mohamed Toure and Cristian Volpato are dynamic and Paul Okon-Engstler adds midfield drive.
Defender Alessandro Circati could be anything while 18-year-old centre-back Lucas Herrington is already attracting attention from Barcelona.
âThe level of hype around this group has probably never been (this high). In my 10 to 12 years, Iâve never experienced what Mo and Nestor and Ale are probably having now,â midfielder Jackson Irvine told AAP.
âBut theyâve got that because what their ceiling is, and how high they can go, and what theyâre doing already compared to where it can lead them, it is so exciting.
âIf you werenât excited as an Australian football fan, youâd be getting it all wrong.
âItâs the time to be excited.â
Coach Tony Popovic will carefully balance that youthful enthusiasm with experience from the likes of Irvine, Harry Souttar and Mathew Leckie.
âWeâve seen what the youngsters can do, and weâve also seen what experienced players with maturity and understanding what it takes at the highest level can offer, and weâre just trying to get that balance right,â Popovic said.
Midfielders Irvine and Aiden OâNeill will need to take control and dictate terms from the beginning.
Against Mexico and Switzerland, Australia were dominated until the first drinks break, conceded early then fought their way into the game.
âItâs obviously something weâve spoken about, improving from the start,â OâNeill said.
âI need to take more charge in that, in terms of dominating the ball from the get go. Itâs something that Iâm gonna try to implement.â
Popovic will become the first Australian to both play and coach at a World Cup, having featured for the Socceroos in 2006.
âI know tomorrow will be a special moment when that national anthem is playing, and then Iâm sure after that Iâll be present and in the moment and ready to support the team and help the team any way I can,â Popovic said.
There are expected to be thousands of Australian fans in the stands.
âI hope theyâll be proud after the gameâs initial 20 minutes are over,â Popovic said.
âAnd theyâll see an Australian team that has once again shown what they can do in football on the world stage.â
The United States already beat Paraguay 4-1 in the Group D opener.
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