Socceroos World Cup qualifying LIVE: Socceroos take 2-0 lead after ...

21 Mar 2024

The Sydney Morning Herald

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10.10pm

Full time: Socceroos keep clean sheet in qualifiers with 2-0 win over Lebanon

That’s full-time in Parramatta, and another clean sheet for the Socceroos.

Socceroos - Figure 1 — Photo The Sydney Morning Herald

Despite a late chance for Lebanon after a handball from Ajdin Hrustic, Australia were able to keep the Cedars at bay. A fantastic save from Maty Ryan and a bit of luck with a header that just slipped round the post.

The Socceroos play Lebanon again on Tuesday in Canberra.

Full time: Australia 2, Lebanon 0

10.05pm

Five minutes added as Aussies close in on victory

Australia have picked up the pace and are on the attack in the final minutes of this game.

Another corner for the home country, and resident tall-guy Harry Souttar is waiting for the header in the box.

The ball bounces around Lebanon’s end before Connor Metcalfe gets a solid boot to ball and sends it straight into the keepers arms.

Five additional minutes added to this half...still time for another goal.

Australia 2, Lebanon 0 after 90 minutes

9.57pm

Lebanon within inches of first goal

The Socceroos have become a bit complacent, and the Cedars get within inches of their first goal against Australia.

The ball from Daniel Lajud was lethal, but it bounces off the upright and is cleared by the Australian defenders.

Australia 2, Lebanon 0 with eight minutes to go

9.54pm

Baccus gets Socceroos’ second yellow card

Australia look more focused on defending their 2-0 than extending it - there’s a bit more back-and-forth with the ball rather than sweeping attack.

The Socceroos add another yellow card to their tally, this time for Keanu Baccus for tripping Mohamad Haidar.

Australia 2, Lebanon 0 with 12 minutes to go

9.44pm

Watch: Rowles goal

9.38pm

Ryan comes into play, Atkinson given yellow card

Maty Ryan has been tested for probably the first time tonight with a soaring ball from Ali Tneich.

A dramatic save from Ryan keeps a clean sheet for the Socceroos, and moments later Nathaniel Atkinson is slapped with a yellow card.

The card is for a push on Mohamad Haidar - I don’t really think there is much in it, it looked like Atkinson was trying to pull away from making contact.

Australia 2, Lebanon 0 after 63 minutes

9.30pm

Rowles adds to Australia’s tally

Another debut international goal for an Australian, this time for Kye Rowles.

The corner curled away, and there were plenty of Lebanese players in the box, but Rowles send the ball towards keeper Mostafa Matar with his left boot, and it clips the edge of the post and pinballs into the back of the net.

That’s the buffer Graham Arnold would want, there’s definitely an opportunity for more if Australia can keep this momentum.

Australia 2, Lebanon 0 after 55 minutes

9.22pm

Baccus goal from another angle

9.20pm

Second half under way

We’re down to the final 45 minutes, and Lebanon get this second half under way.

Australia has been dominant, but it’s only one goal the difference. Graham Arnold will want another on the board for a little security.

Australia 1, Lebanon 0 after 45 minutes

9.04pm

Vince’s view: Socceroos a little sloppy at half-time

That was not the best 45 minutes from the Socceroos on a number of levels.

Their two best openings - Keanu Baccus’ goal and Adam Taggart’s half chance after that thump forward by Harry Souttar - were complete accidents. And two key players - Riley McGree and Jordan Bos - have come off injured.

The socceroos have lost Jordan Bos to a knee injury.Credit: Getty

Graham Arnold will be desperately hoping neither is serious, but McGree missed two months for Middlesbrough earlier this season with a foot problem, and if Bos is no good, they’ll be desperately short of options at left-back for Tuesday night’s rematch in Canberra.

They’re not being troubled at all - the Cedars aren’t posing any real threats going forward, as determined as they’ve been - but this isn’t what Arnold would have had in mind for tonight.

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