21st December 2024

The Socceroos delivered a dominant 5-1 victory over Lebanon at Canberra’s GIO Stadium on Tuesday night time to maneuver one other step nearer to qualifying for his or her sixth FIFA World Cup marketing campaign.

In an indication of excellent issues to come back for the nationwide group, midfielders Patrick Yazbek and Josh Nisbet made their worldwide debuts for the Socceroos in what was a memorable night in entrance of a report crowd in Canberra.

Veteran winger Craig Goodwin starred with a second half double and an help in his return to the aspect after lacking the Socceroos’ earlier win over Lebanon with sickness.

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Coach Graham Arnold was happy together with his aspect’s effort, reflecting on the younger expertise that got here off the bench and made the match their very own.

“I used to be very completely happy and happy with the younger ones,” he informed Ten post-match.

Khalil Khamis of Lebanon and Patrick Yazbek of Australia compete for the ball throughout their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match. (Mark Kolbe by way of Getty Photographs)

“They took possession after they went on the park and the long run is vivid.”

Australia wanted lower than two minutes to search out the again of the online with up-and-coming striker Kusini Yengi scoring his first worldwide objective.

The Socceroos overloaded the left wing earlier than Goodwin despatched a low cross to the highest of the objective sq..

Yengi was within the good place in entrance of objective however pushed his first try into the left submit earlier than directing his second into the again of the online.

The Socceroos dominated play within the first half however a number of missed alternatives in entrance of objective meant they entered the primary break with solely a one-goal benefit.

In a repeat of the primary half, the Socceroos pressured an personal objective from Lebanon’s Bassel Jradi inside minutes of play resuming to steer 2-0.

Moments later, Goodwin scored his first of the night with a half-volley throughout the objective face into the underside far nook of the online.

Craig Goodwin celebrates after kicking a objective through the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon. (Cameron Spencer by way of Getty Photographs)

Second-gamer John Iredale quickly adopted go well with together with his first spark off the bench.

Iredale had tears in his eyes after nailing the cross from Yazbek.

The 34-year-old quickly turned objective assistor as a helpful deflection off a defender arrange Goodwin’s second.

Souring the win was a decrease leg damage to playmaker Ajdin Hrustic within the second half.

Hrustic had spikes raked down his calf and Achilles by Lebanon’s Alee Tneich in a controversial deal with within the 51st minute.

Tneich was proven a yellow card however the injury was already carried out with Hrustic requiring assist off the sector.

The victory solidifies Australia’s place on the high of Group I within the second spherical of Asian qualifiers with two matches nonetheless to play.

The Socceroos will subsequent face Palestine on June 11.

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