UEFA Youth League · Midfielder · #86 · Australia · 16 yrs
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After both surprising in their debut at the 2026 World Cup, USMNT and Australia face each other, seeking a victory that could determine the leader of Group D. For this, both teams are expected to field their strongest starting lineups in order to maintain their momentum. Despite not being top contenders for the 2026 World Cup, USMNT and Australia surprised everyone by winning their debuts. Following this, they face each other today in their second match of the competition. Mauricio Pochettino’s team’s offensive approach will be tested against Tony Popovic’s defensive setup with a high press. Seeking a victory to determine the leader of Group D, both teams could field their biggest stars. Australia have managed to remain quite competitive. Without being an offensive powerhouse, they already managed to score two goals against Türkiye, already showing their power on the counterattack. As their best facet of the game, they impose a defensive strategy based on high pressing, being quite effective at breaking up their opponents’ offense. Therefore, they could keep Mohamed Toure as their reference. USMNT have managed to establish as one of the best offensive teams. Surprisingly, they managed to score four goals against Paraguay, allowing Folarin Balogun to shine. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has managed to make his team quite dominant, keeping Max Tillman as the creative focal point. Because of this, they are expected to be protagonists against Australia, looking to shine once again on the offensive side. USMNT confirmed lineup vs Australia After shining against Paraguay, USMNT arrive as a favorite to defeat Australia. For this, head coach Mauricio Pochettino have ruled out Christian Pulisic due to muscle problems. In his absence, Max Tillman and Weston McKennie will look to open spaces in the opponent’s stubborn defense. Nevertheless, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi will be the offensive stars, looking to score. Nestory Irankunda of Australia. Considering this, USMNT will lineup as follows: Matt Freese; Sergiño Dest, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Alex Freeman; Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Weston McKennie; Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi. Australia confirmed lineup vs USMNT Australia managed to surprise everyone in their 2026 World Cup debut. Looking to defeat the USMNT, they will look to repeat their defensive approach, imposing their high press as a key axis of the game. For this, head coach Tony Popovic will keep Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, and Cameron Burgess as his defensive structure. Nevertheless, the counterattacks will be led by Mohamed Toure. With this in mind, Australia will play as follows: Patrick Beach; Alessandro Circati, Harry Souttar, Cameron Burgess; Jacob Italiano, Aiden O’Neill, Paul Okon-Engstler, Jordan Bos; Mathew Leckie, Nishan Velupillay; Mohamed Toure.
Paul Okon-Engstler’s emotions before making his World Cup debut for Australia belied the performance that followed against Turkey in VancouverLost in the celebrations of Australia’s victory over Turkey was its poignant opening and the image of young Paul Okon-Engstler, wiping away tears brought on by his World Cup debut.The 21-year-old was one of the surprises to be named in Tony Popovic’s starting XI, as the coach chose to leave veteran Jackson Irvine on the bench. To those watching on the broadcast, Okon-Engstler made an impact even before the first whistle, when his surging emotions underscored the enormity of the occasion. Continue reading...
Australia’s next generation delivered one of their best World Cup victories, upsetting Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver to start their campaign in styleNestory Irankunda ran to the corner flag like Tim Cahill, punching and ducking and weaving, after sending the Socceroos on their way to a stunning 2-0 upset victory over Turkey in west Canada. The one act pulled past and future together on a night when Australia’s next generation delivered one of their best World Cup victories, to start their 2026 campaign in style.They can thank a trio of young stars, all of whom were considered unlikely to start the match. Irankunda finished a brilliant end-to-end attack with a goal in the 27th minute, assisted by the midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler. The young goalkeeper Patrick Beach – thrust into the starting side in a pre-match selection shock – pulled off a series of dazzling parries, including one in the first half that will be a contender for save of the tournament. Continue reading...
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