In Brief
- Young goalkeeper Patrick Beach was a shock selection for the Socceroos against Türkiye.
- His football journey started in Sydney’s western suburbs.
When Patrick Beach was unexpectedly named as the starting goalkeeper for the Socceroos in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Türkiye, it caught many off guard.
There was, however, one group that wasn’t surprised: his family.
“What he achieved is no surprise to us. We know what qualities he has,” Mark Beach, Patrick’s father, shared with SBS News. “We’re wonderfully proud of Pat.”
At just 22 years old, Beach’s selection over the seasoned captain Mat Ryan was unforeseen.
The 22-year-old wasn’t expected to be picked ahead of experienced captain Mat Ryan.
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“When [coach] Tony [Popovic] asked him [Pat] to step up and play, it was just a dream come true,” Mark, who was at the game, said.
“He was very excited.”
It was only Beach’s third outing for the national team.
But after eight saves, including a stunning touch that sent Türkiye’s Abdülkerim Bardakç’s strike deflecting off the goalpost, his clean sheet was a key ingredient in the Socceroos‘ stunning 2-0 victory.
The Socceroos’ first goal-scorer Nestory Irankunda, might have won player of the match, but Beach’s blinder won Australia’s hearts.
‘How dreams are made’
Beach plays in the A-League for Melbourne City, but he was born and raised in western Sydney.
As a child, he played five seasons with Glenmore Park Football Club, a suburb just south of Penrith.
“I think like any young boy or girl playing soccer, when they’re young they have those dreams of one day they’d like to be on TV,” Mark Beach told SBS News.
His path to the Socceroos was paved by passion, determination, and encouraging pep talks from his dad after tough training days.
“Just having those chats in the car on the way home and stopping to get takeaway food … just giving him a few words of confidence to keep him going.”
“Every proud father wants their child to play at the highest level in the sport they’ve chosen.”
Mark also told SBS News his son was also inspired by his time as a ballboy for Western Sydney Wanderers when the side was led by Popovic.
“I don’t think Tony knew of Pat back then, but Patrick was just a ballboy volunteer, and I think that helped plant the seed.”
“And I guess that’s how dreams are made.”
‘World-class’ performance
One of Beach’s former coaches, Ante Covic, himself a former Socceroos goalkeeper, told SBS News that seeing Beach start the game gave him “goosebumps”.
“I knew one day he could make it.”
Covic was a keeper for Wanderers when Beach was a volunteer, and later coached him at the Marconi Stallions club in Sydney. He described Beach’s performance against Türkiye as “world-class”.
“He just looked comfortable out there. Anything that came to him, he dealt with perfectly.”
Covic first started training Beach when the young goalie was 16.
“He’s very level-headed, very driven, and he’s just so easy to coach.”
Beach made his debut for the national team in November 2025 in a friendly against Venezuela in the US.
In May, Beach was named in Australia’s 26-man World Cup squad, and a week before the start of the tournament played his second game for Australia, a friendly against Switzerland.
Irankunda’s school celebrates win
Paul Michael, health and PE co-ordinator at Parafield Gardens High School in Adelaide, told SBS News the school was “filled with pride” over alumni Nestory Irankunda.
The 20-year-old winger, who plays for Watford in the English Championship, opened the scoring for Australia on Sunday after he surged onto a long ball from midfielder Okon-Engstler before flicking the ball past a Turkish defender and coolly slotting home.
“Every conversation I’ve had has started with how good Nestory was,” Michael said.
Michael hoped Irankunda’s success would inspire other students at the school.
“Hopefully it’s going to open some doors for more young students from the northern suburbs,” he said.
“It’s just a recognition that someone within our backyard is able to go and do that on the world stage.”
Can the Socceroos make it to the knockout rounds?
The Socceroos will take to the field again this Saturday at 5am (AEST) to face off against the USA, who scored an impressive 4-1 over Paraguay in their opening match on Saturday.
Covic says it will be a “huge game”.
With all eyes on the co-hosts, Covic thinks Australia can take advantage of their underdog status.
“There’s going to be a bit of pressure on the US, so hopefully we can take advantage of that.”
He’s optimistic Australia can take it one step further.
“There’s no reason why we can’t top this group.”
You can watch all 104 matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ live, free and exclusive on SBS, SBS VICELAND and SBS On Demand.
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