When goalkeeper Patrick Beach was picked in the starting 11 for the Socceroos' opening 2026 FIFA World Cup match against Türkiye on Sunday, it came as a surprise to nearly everyone 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."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