LIVE: The Socceroos took an early lead in their World Cup qualifier against minnows Lebanon, with midfielder Keanu Baccus scoring his maiden international goal from long range, but have been struck down by a pair of first-half injuries.
In just the fifth minute, Baccus intercepted a pass from the Lebanese defence and took two touches out to the right flank. He looked to whip in a cross, but it curled into the back post and bounced off the woodwork into the net.
Making the goal even more special for the 25-year-old is that it came in Parammatta’s Commbank Stadium - the home ground for the Western Sydney Wanderers, who he represented over 100 times before signing for Scottish side St Mirren in 2022.
But Australia, already depleted by a host of injuries to veteran players, suffered another setback when winger Riley McGree was taken off with a foot problem after just a quarter of an hour and replaced by youngster Jordy Bos.
Bos settled into his work well and - having taken over set piece duties from McGree - delivered a pair of corners in the direction of towering defender Harry Souttar, always a major threat from dead ball scenarios.
Souttar looped a header to the back post before the second corner was kneed over the bar.
But after conceding the early goal, Lebanon were not content to sit deep - and their attacking intent was rewarded with a number of half-chances, though without ever really threatening the Socceroos’ goal.
In the 25th minute, a Souttar clearance on the halfway line was blasted toward the Lebanon box and somehow found striker Adam Taggart, but the in-form Perth Glory star couldn’t control the ball under pressure and the chance went begging.
His fellow striker Kusini Yengi attempted a long-range strike that
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