AFC Asian Qualifiers
Keanu Baccus and Kye Rowles scored their first international goals for the home side early in each half as the Socceroos posted a comfortable victory at a packed Western Sydney Stadium.
Looking to maintain their perfect start to the qualification campaign, Australia took the lead in the fifth minute as St Mirren midfielder Baccus’ cross from the right deceived Mostafa Matar in the Lebanon goal and ended up in the back of the net.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper was on hand to bravely punch away Harry Souttar’s looping header from a corner in the 17th minute and did well again 10 minutes later to readjust and stop a deflected long-range effort from Kusini Yengi.
With Lebanon failing to trouble Australia custodian Mathew Ryan in the first period, head coach Graham Arnold's primary concern arose from injuries to Riley McGree and Jordan Bos, both of whom were withdrawn during the opening 45 minutes.
The second half began in the same fashion as the first as Australia doubled their lead nine minutes into the restart. The Lebanon defence failed to clear Ajdin Hrustic’s corner which fell for Rowles who volleyed home to give the hosts a two-goal cushion.
Miodrag Radulovic, whose side played out back-to-back draws with Palestine and Bangladesh in their first two outings, replaced captain Hassan Maatouk with Daniel Kuri hoping to turn things around, but the Socceroos remained largely in control.
However, Kuri came closest to scoring for Lebanon as they ended the game strongly. The attacking midfielder saw his shot from inside the box whistle past Ryan’s goal in the 78th minute before another chance fell his way three minutes later.
This time, it was the woodwork that denied Kuri as Australia held on to bag the 2-0 victory and maintain their perfect start.
The Cedars will hope to bounce back when the two sides meet again in Canberra in their next outing on Tuesday.
