NNA - In the third stage of the Asian Group Nine qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as the 2027 Asia Cup in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon faced off against Australia in the first of two matches, ultimately losing 0-2. The match, held at the "CommBank Stadium" in Parramatta, Sydney, saw Australia take the lead early on.

Keno Bacus opened the scoring for the home side in the fifth minute with a high, dropping ball from the right that bounced off the right post of goalkeeper Mustafa Matar's net and into the goal, giving Australia a 1-0 lead.

In the 54th minute, Kai Rolls added a second goal for Australia with a shot from inside the box that rebounded from the top right corner of Matar's goal into the net.

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday, 26 March, at the "Gio Stadium" in the capital, Canberra, with the match considered a home game for Lebanon, as they do not have a stadium that meets the specifications of the FIFA and AFC.

====================R.H.