The Socceroos are looking to secure their place in the next stage of World Cup qualifying when they face Lebanon on Tuesday night (7.45pm)– the teams’ second meeting in five days after Australia won 2-0 on Thursday in Sydney.
Back in Canberra for the first time since Harry Souttar’s memorable debut in 2019, the Socceroos have promised to put on a show for a sold-out crowd at GIO Stadium.
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold yesterday said there would be “four or five” changes to the Australian starting XI, and lived up to that by naming four changes.
But while he rotates the pack for this rematch with the Cedars – including a debut for 21-year-old midfielder Patrick Yazbek that is “more than 90 per cent” likely – Arnold is intent on securing a victory that will put the Socceroos through to the next round of World Cup qualifying.
The Socceroos still have two matches to play – against Bangladesh and Palestine in June – where victories will be important in terms of world rankings, which decide seedings for the next stage.
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TEAM NEWS
The Socceroos team is in and it’s FOUR changes.
Gethin Jones comes in at right back to replace Nathaniel Atkinson. Craig Goodwin has recovered from a virus and comes in on the left to replace the injured Riley McGree.
Ajdin Hrustic starts in midfield instead of the suspended Keanu Baccus, while Mitchell Duke replaces Adam Taggart as one of the two forwards.
CONFIRMED SOCCEROOS XI (4-4-2, L-R)
Mathew Ryan,
Kye Rowles, Cameron Burgess, Harry Souttar, Gethin Jones
Craig Goodwin, Ajdin Hrustic, Jackson Irvine, Connor Metcalfe,
Kusi
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