Socceroos coach Tony Popovic has pulled a massive selection shock for Australia's World Cup opener against Turkey, dropping captain Maty Ryan for two-cap goalkeeper Patrick Beach.
Popovic has also left out vice-captain Jackson Irvine for 21-year-old midfielder Paul Okon-Engstler while dynamo Nestory Irankunda, 20, will start in attack alongside Mohamed Toure.
Striker Toure proved his fitness for the game, which kicks off at Vancouver's BC Place at 9pm Saturday (2pm Sunday AEST), after missing training on Wednesday.
There are 10 World Cup debutants in the starting line-up, and an average age of 24.6, with central defender Harry Souttar the only player to have previously experienced the tournament.
On paper, Popovic and goalkeeping coach Frank Juric are taking a massive gamble on 23-year-old Beach, who only played his second international match against Switzerland last week.
