Former Sydney FC midfielder Patrick Yazbek poised to make his Socceroos debut

Patrick Yazbek’s decision to choose the Socceroos over Lebanon hasn’t gone down well with the Cedars as he is poised to make his international debut against the country he snubbed.

Patrick Yazbek (right) has settled in well with the Socceroos. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Likely Socceroos debutant Patrick Yazbek’s decision to pledge his international allegiance to Australia rather than Lebanon has been questioned by Cedars coach Miodrag Radulovic.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold said that former Sydney FC midfielder Yazbek was a “more than 90 per cent” chance to make his national team debut against Lebanon in Tuesday night’s FIFA World Cup qualifier in Canberra, where the Australians are chasing back-to-back wins over the Cedars are beating them 2-0 in Sydney last week.

“He’s Australian first and foremost,” Arnold said of the Sydney-born, Norway-based Yazbek, whose heritage is Lebanese.

“Him mum and dad are from Lebanon, and he’s got that in him as well … he’s a fantastic kid.

“(To) make his debut against Lebanon, it’s a great thing for him and his family that they’ll never forget.”

Lebanon's national coach Miodrag Radulovic. Picture: Lintao Zhang/Getty Images

However, Radulovic said 21-year-old Yazbek would have been better off playing for Lebanon.

“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,” the Montenegro-born mentor said.

“I’m not interested anymore.”

The Lebanese squad does include one player born in Australia, former Central Coast Mariners Academy attacker Jackson Khoury.

“He has big potential. He’s the future of the Lebanese team,” Radulovic said of the 21-year-old Khoury.

Former Central Coast Mariners Academy player Jackson Khoury is part of Lebanon’s squad. Picture: AFP

Radulovic was “optimistic” about Lebanon’s chances in Canberra, saying his side’s performance in last Thursday’s loss to the Socceroos in Sydney was “much better” than the 2-0 scoreline indicated.

“We will try to correct the mistakes that we did, and to be much more effective in attack. I expect a good performance and a much better result,” he said.

Radulovic said he was using the games against the Socceroos to prepare for June’s World Cup qualifiers against Palestine and Bangladesh.

“We need to win those games in June, that’s our target,” said Radulovic, with Lebanon a huge chance to progress to the next round of AFC World Cup qualifiers with success against Palestine and Bangladesh.

The Socceroos – whose starting side could have up to five changes from last week – will guarantee themselves a berth in the next round of qualifiers with a win in Canberra.

However, Arnold is desperate to win not only on Tuesday night but in June, also against Palestine and Bangladesh, to ensure the Socceroos have a perfect AFC second-round qualifying record, which should result in them being one of the three nations in pot one for the third-round qualifying draw.

“What’s important is we win these three games,” Arnold said.

“My focus is the players and getting the job done for the nation.

“It’s important that we go out there with the focus and the mentality, and most of all the energy in front of a full house to put on a great performance.”

Lebanon v Australia

Tuesday, 7.45pm (AEDT)

GIO Stadium, Canberra

TV: Network 10

Originally published as Former Sydney FC midfielder Patrick Yazbek poised to make his Socceroos debut