Lebanon coach’s salty swipe at Aussie rookie as Arnie hints at sweeping changes

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has hit back a barbed swipe from Lebanon coach Miodrag Radulović on Monday night aimed at youngster Patrick Yazbeck, who is set to make his debut for Australia on Tuesday night.

Yazbek was born in Sydney but has Lebanese heritage, and was eligible to represent either nation.

But he rebuffed approaches from Radulovic’s Cedars and is now a “more than 90 per cent” chance to make his debut in Canberra’s FIFA World Cup qualifier, according to Arnold.

“He’s Australian first and foremost,” Arnold said of the 21-year-old, who plays in Norway with Viking FK. "It’s the blood and the heart and the passion.

“His mum and dad are from Lebanon, and he’s got that in him as well. But he’s a fantastic kid. He will more than 90 per cent get match minutes tomorrow night and make his debut against Lebanon, I think it’s a great thing for him and his family that they’ll never forget.”

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It came just minutes after Radulovic claimed Yazbek should have chosen to represent Lebanon instead.

“I think it would be better to be one of the leaders in our team than sitting on the bench (for Australia), but this is his decision,” Radulovic said.

“I’m not interested anymore.”

Arnold signalled Yazbek’s likely debut while stating there would be “four or five” changes to the starting XI that beat Lebanon 2-0 on Thursday night in Sydney.

Some of the decisions have been made for him, with left wingers Riley McGree and Jordy Bos both injured in Thursday’s win, while defensive midfielder Keanu Baccus is suspended. All three have left camp early to return to their clubs.

But in a boost to the team, veteran winger