Australia 2-0 Turkey: The Socceroos' Organised Upset

Turkey came into this tournament as one of the more fashionable dark-horse picks, a young and gifted side expected to brush aside an ageing Australia. Instead they ran into a Socceroos performance of such organisation and bloody-mindedness that they barely laid a glove on it. Australia's 2-0 win was the biggest surprise of the opening round, and it was thoroughly deserved.

Goals from Nestory Irankunda and Connor Metcalfe sealed the 2-0 win, and Australia managed the game superbly. Their shape out of possession was excellent — a narrow, hard-working block that funnelled Turkey into wide areas and dared them to beat a packed penalty box with crosses. Turkey's much-vaunted creativity had nowhere to go.

This is what the Socceroos have always done well: they squeeze every drop out of limited resources through fitness, organisation and a refusal to be intimidated by bigger names. Turkey's midfield, expected to dictate, was instead harried into rushed decisions and sloppy giveaways all evening.

The second goal killed any hope of a Turkish revival and exposed the soft underbelly of a side that had been talked up perhaps a little too readily. When the game demanded patience and composure, Turkey offered neither, and their frustration grew visibly as the clock ran down.

There were tactical lessons in this for the rest of Group D. Turkey are dangerous when allowed to play through the lines, but they have not yet shown they can break down a disciplined, deep-lying opponent — and at a tournament full of well-drilled sides, that is a significant weakness to carry.

Australia, written off before a ball was kicked, suddenly find themselves in a commanding early position. They will not overwhelm anybody, but as this result proved, you underestimate their organisation and spirit at your peril. In a group that looked to be running away from them, they are now very much alive.