With Australia already qualified for the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers, Arnold chose to rotate his side, including Gauci, deputising for regular goalkeeper and captain, Mat Ryan, while there was also a debut for exciting starlet Nestory Irankunda, who has signed for German giants Bayern Munich for next season.

Ranked 141 places above Bangladesh, the visitors controlled the early proceedings, with Bangladesh camped in their own half as they struggled to deal with Australia’s pressing game.

Despite dominating the early possession, however, Australia struggled to make it count in terms of any meaningful efforts on Mitul Marma’s goal as Javier Cabrera’s side defended stoutly to frustrate those in green and gold.

Australia finally found their breakthrough in somewhat fortuitous circumstances, with Ajdin Hrustic’s speculative long-range effort deflected into his own net by defender Mehedi Hasan.

Bangladesh managed their first effort on goal just four minutes later, however Rakib Hossain’s equally long-range effort was well wide of the mark, and it was Australia that lead at the half-time interval thanks to their solitary first-half goal.

Early in the second half Irankunda, who had been largely well marshalled on the right hand side, finally found some space in the box after skipping past Isa Faysal, but stretched for his shot and sliced wide as Australia battled to find a second goal to make the game comfortable.

The second goal would come though, just after the hour mark, when Jordan Bos’ inch-perfect cross found the head of Kusini Yengi who headed home to give Australia the 2-0 lead their play had merited.

Were it not for some misfiring efforts Australia could’ve added to their lead, with Adam Taggart, who came on to replace Yengi midway through the second half, skying his effort over the bar on 71 minutes.

Daniel Arzani, playing his first match for Australia since 2018, looked lively off the bench, but try as they might Australia couldn’t find a third.

Australia will be looking to make it six from six next week in Perth when they host Palestine, while Bangladesh will be searching for their first win of the campaign when they travel to Qatar to face Palestine.