It's only day 3, and I'm exhausted. Another huge day in Vancouver.
The day started at Yolks, right next to the Airbnb, where the first of many Aussie fans were spotted leading up to tonight's big game. A hearty breakfast before we jump in an Uber out to the University of British Columbia, where we are going to spend the morning at the Museum of Anthropology. I had caught the bus out here in 2000, and I remember it being a blast. A friend had also mentioned it to A, so it was a no brainer. And it was as good as I remembered. The Pacific Northwest Native Art is all over this place. Totems, sculptures, paintings, I can't get enough of it. The Museum definitely scratched an itch.
After spending a couple of hours inside, we waled around outside and found a trail which lead to some stairs down to the beach. It's a long way down (460 steps we counted on the way back), but we thought we'd go and have a look. The weather was good, not too hot, and we're out to explore things so we made the trek down. Then, only 10 steps off the beach is a sign telling us that the beach is clothing optional. Great! We've just dragged 2 x 15 year old boys to a nude beach. Parenting 101! I was surprised about the variety of people, and available clothing, but it was a learning experience for everyone, topped off by 2 boys squirming when we wanted to talk about it more later that day.
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
DMB&L, Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver
We caught an Uber straight back to lunch. The boys and I had spotted a pie shop, so Peaked Pies supplied all the Australian favorites for lunch, including a lamington. Good food, hopefully we'll get another chance to eat here the day we come back to Vancouver.
After lunch it was a couple of blocks to be down on the water at English Bay, so we followed the path all the way along the seawall until we got to the Burrard Bridge, where we cut up to the Airbnb. We hung there and relaxed for a while before making our walk over to BC Place for the World Cup match of Australia v Turkey (the reason we're in Vancouver) I wanted to take one of the little ferries down to the stadium, but L was insistent that we walk. And I'm glad he won that argument. The city , from Granville Street onwards was jumping. And chock full of Aussies! There is a much larger contingent of my countrymen than I thought.
We reached BC Place near 6.30pm - kick off is not until 9 - but we just soaked it all in. There are a ton of Turkish fans here as well, and the atmosphere is electric. There is is positive energy coming from both fans. We lined up for some merchandise for the boys, each one of them got a either a home and away Aussie shirt, and B took a half and half scarf as well. Overpriced, but delicious, meals were bought before we walked down to our seats. Wow!. We are 6 rows from the field and sitting in line with the 18 yard box. I was like a kid in a candy store. My American family decked out in Aussie gear (though it may not go that way next week). The Aussies warming up right in front of us. At the same end, but the opposite side as the official Australian Supporters Group, whose yellow wall dominated the landscape of the crowd. The crowd built and built, and BC Place was packed at kick off.
BLM&D inside BC Place, Vancouver
DBL&M, BC Place, Vancouver
I was surprised Mat Ryan had been dropped. The captain left out for a young Patrick Beach. Not sure what that was about, but not the start I thought Turkey attacked our end of the field in the first half. Not that the Aussies were walk overs, but the Turks dominated possession - yet. Especially Baris Yilmaz, playing on the left wing in front of us. He was a constant threat. Italiano worked hard to keep him under wraps. Then a hydration break changed the whole game. Turkiye had a cross they volleyed, and new Aussie keeper Patrick Beach made a good save. 15 seconds later a long ball put Irankunda through on goal. Two touches from him, and he slotted the ball past the Turkish keeper. The Aussies are up 1-0 in the 27th minute, almost against the run of play. The Turkish fans, while outnumbered 60/40, had been loud up until this point. Whistling and booing every time we had the ball, and chanting every time the Turks pushed forward. They remained relentless all through the first half, even after going down. 3 minutes after our goal, Turkiye's Bardakci blasted a left footed shot from outside the box, only for Beach to push it on to the woodwork and keep us in front. Phew! Irankunda had another chance just before the break, but his shot was straight at the Turkish keeper. It would've been amazing to be up 2-0 at the half, but it wasn't to be. We seemed to pick up steam after the break. Harry Souttar dominated in the air and almost had a goal from a corner early in the 2nd half. Turkiye's Gular was a problem for Australia. He was everywhere and a handful for the defenders. It was a huge relief when Beach pushed away his good free kick in the 58th minute. Another near post save from Beach from Celik, in the 72nd minute, saw the now quietening Turkish fans start to get nervous. Not 3 minutes later they were silenced when Connor Metcalfe picked up the ball in the Turkish half, turned, ran at the goal , and slotted in a 25 yard, left footed belter. 2-0 The Socceroos. We were going mental! Not to mention Metcalfe's knee slide was right in front of us. Beach made another vital save Akturkoglu from 6 yards. And after that, the Turkish fans were leaving quietly. The noise at the fulltime whistle was just as loud, and we stuck around until the Socceroos did a victory lap as we all sang Down Under. They stopped at the next section over from us. It must have been where their families were.
MBD&L, Pretty Good Seats, BC Place, Vancouver
BC Place was rocking as we left, and the walk back to Granville Street was electric. Aussies everywhere, singing and chanting. But that was nothing compared to Granville Street itself. It was a zoo. Yellow shirts everywhere, and party mode had been hit by a boost of Aussie steroids. What an amazing night. I hope that is something we will never forget.
Australia 2 (N. Irankunda 27th, C. Metcalfe 75) defeated Turkiye 0
Crowd: 52,479
Socceroos 2 - Turkiye 0, BC Place, Vancouver
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