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One of the most beautiful moments of the Socceroos\u2019 2-0 victory against Turkiye in their World Cup opener in Vancouver on Sunday was assistant coach Paul Okon in tears when Connor Metcalfe scored Australia\u2019s second goal.<\/p>\n
There are so many reasons why it was such an emotional moment for the 54-year-old.<\/p>\n
UFC FREEDOM 250 | MONDAY 15 JUNE 10AM AEST | UFC Freedom 250 delivers a landmark night of fights from the White House, with Topuria vs Gaethje leading a stacked card celebrating America\u2019s 250th anniversary | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports<\/a>.<\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Firstly, his son Paul Okon-Engstler had played a key role after being a surprise starter.<\/p>\n The 21-year-old Sydney FC midfielder assisted Nestory Irankunda\u2019s opening goal and played with composure beyond his years in the middle of the park.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter the first goal I ran over to the bench to celebrate with them and he was obviously there and I could see the emotion on his face and that really touched me,\u201d Okon-Englster told reporters post-game.<\/p>\n \u201cStraight after I had to get on with the game and had to focus on the rest of the game but I think yeah it was a nice memory for us and a memory that I\u2019ll cherish.\u201d<\/p>\n With the emotion flowing, it is little wonder why the senior Okon gave Socceroos boss Tony Popovic a huge hug on the touchline when Metcalfe\u2019s goal went in and Australia edged closer to victory.<\/p>\n \u201cPaolo\u2019s passionate, he\u2019s emotional,\u201d Popovic said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, playing his son, it\u2019s special. I play him because he deserves to play. I love the kid. I\u2019ve loved him since what, twelve months ago when I first brought him in. I knew there was a special talent there and then he proved it today.<\/p>\n \u201cI had just a special moment with two close friends, embracing and just understanding what\u2019s just happened and proud for his boy but also proud for us that we\u2019ve managed to do something special together here at the World Cup by winning this game.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n WORLD VIEW: US turn on their own over Socceroos as world wakes up to \u2018incredible\u2019 arrival<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n TALKING POINTS: Brutal truth for lippy US; Socceroos\u2019 $870m miracle explained<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n PLAYER RATINGS: Goalie gamble gets perfect 10 as next gen proves the world wrong<\/a><\/b><\/i><\/p>\n Aussies TAKEOVER Canada after upset | 02:46<\/p>\n If seeing his child shine on the world stage was not meaningful enough, Okon\u2019s own relationship with the World Cup and the Socceroos also tugs at the heart strings.<\/p>\n Okon played 28 times for the national team.<\/p>\n It would have been more if not for injuries and Australia\u2019s quadrennial World Cup qualification heartbreak.<\/p>\n The defender was part of the Australian team that made it to the bronze medal match at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as well as the semi-finals of the Youth World Cup a year prior.<\/p>\n But at senior level his World Cup dream was never fulfilled.<\/p>\n Okon was captain when the Socceroos suffered the heartbreak of losing an intercontinental playoff to Uruguay in 2001 – where a hostile reception in Montevideo contributed to the South American nation\u2019s 3-0 victory<\/a>.<\/p>\n Okon would not be there when Guus Hiddink\u2019s side extracted revenge four years later and ended the nation\u2019s 32-year World Cup drought.<\/p>\n He played in Serie A and the English Premier League, but did not achieve the pinnacle of international football as a player.<\/p>\n Regardless, his dreams came true in Vancouver.<\/p>\n \u201cTo do it now as a staff, as an assistant coach, is, I guess, probably for me also a dream come true,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, really happy to experience it. We honestly feel there is more to come from this team.\u201d<\/p>\n Socceroos make a statement vs Turkey! | 01:29<\/p>\n Plenty of players will have spoken to their fathers before their World Cup debut.<\/p>\n Such a conversation brimming with excitement and nerves takes on a different lens when the parent is part of the coaching staff, however.<\/p>\n Okon did his best to make sure it was nothing out of the ordinary before kick off. <\/p>\n \u201cMy chat with him would have been like the chat with any other player in the team and that was you\u2019ve got a job to do. Make sure you do it and we have full confidence in your ability,\u201d he told SBS.<\/p>\n \u201cNow\u2019s the moment you\u2019ve been waiting for, for a long time, it\u2019s what you\u2019ve dream of. So, we as a coaching staff, and yeah I just happen to be his father, we were super confident that he could execute what we needed for this game.\u201d<\/p>\n Okon-Englster played with the freedom of youth, but admitted post-game that history was on his mind.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah I obviously know the history of our country and how we struggled for a couple of years in World Cups and how we weren\u2019t able to qualify,\u201d he told SBS.<\/p>\n \u201cBut yeah obviously so happy that I\u2019m able to now participate in the World Cup and to do something that obviously my father wasn\u2019t able to.<\/p>\n \u201cJust stoked and so happy that we were able to get three points today.\u201d<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/b><\/p>\n \ufeffLosing skipper doubles down, tunnel sledge outed as Roos star rips \u2018s*** talking\u2019 Turks<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n \ufeff\u2018Could save the Titanic\u2019: Popa\u2019s all-time selection stunner pays off after rising star\u2019s masterclass<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n