Australian midfielder Patrick Yazbek set to make emotional Socceroos debut against Lebanon

Australian emerging talent, Patrick Yazbek, is set to make his Socceroos debut against Lebanon, his heritage nation, evoking emotional stakes. The 21-year-old midfielder, who plays for Viking FK in Norway, finally looks set to take the field after multiple international camps without action.

Lebanon’s coach, Miodrag Radulovic, expressed his surprise at Yazbek’s decision not to represent Lebanon, citing the inclusion of other Australian-born talents in their squad. Radulovic even went as far as praising Parramatta’s Jackson Khoury as the “future” of his team, implying that Yazbek could have a major role had he chosen differently.

In response to Radulovic’s comments, Socceroos coach Graham Arnold reiterated Yazbek’s Australian allegiance, emphasizing his passion and readiness for his debut against Lebanon. With Australia defeating Lebanon 2-0 in Sydney, a win in Canberra would secure their advancement to the final round of World Cup qualifying.

Looking ahead, Arnold hinted at potentially incorporating new talents in upcoming matches against Bangladesh and Palestine, but emphasized the importance of securing wins to maintain their ranking as the No.3 Asian side. The focus remains on winning the remaining games to stay ahead of South Korea in the rankings.

As the spotlight shifts to the highly anticipated clash, all eyes will be on Yazbek as he prepares to represent Australia against his birth nation, marking a significant moment for him and his family. With expectations high and the stakes even higher, Yazbek’s debut is poised to be a memorable and poignant chapter in his burgeoning football career.