Strikes from Nick Ward and Mark Bridge sent Australia to the break with a two goal advantage, before substitute David Williams added a third in second half stoppage time to make sure of a thoroughly deserved victory for Graham Arnold’s charges.

Beginning the match with nine of the eleven players that were so impressive against DPR Korea four days earlier, Australia were simply an echelon above their stubborn, but outclassed opponents.

English based defender Trent McClenahan replaced the suspended Adrian Leijer in central defence, while up front, the robust presence of Adelaide United’s Bruce Djite was preferred in place of Brondby striker Williams, whose diminutive style was most fitting against DPR Korea last Saturday.

Although spirited in their play, Lebanon was ultimately no match for an Australian outfit that, at times, showcased football of the highest quality.

"The first 35 minutes was champagne football, we played absolutely fantastic," said Qantas Under 23s coach Graham Arnold after the match.

"I tried to put some pressure on the players to repeat their first half performance in the second half, but that’s the way football is.

"It’s three points that we needed, before we came into camp last week we said to the boys that we had two home games, from which we need to get six points.

"After those two games we’ve got six points, four goals and no goals conceded, so I can’t complain too much."

Australia was irresistible in the first half.

Spearheaded by a midfield featuring Billy Celeski, Stuart Musialik, Kristian Sarkies and goalscorer Ward, Arnold’s charges were a class above their West Asian opponents and certainly unfortunate to not lead by more than two goals at the break.

Ward’s opener was the highlight of the half – the Queens Park Rangers playmaker smashing home a Nikolai Topor-Stanley cross with some style.

Midway through the half, Bridge doubled Australia’s advantage after some neat passing movements on the edge of the penalty area with strike partner Djite.

Djite himself could have, and perhaps should have scored on several occasions throughout the match, such was his presence in Australia’s final third.

At the other end, captain Mark Milligan was once again a standout.

Alongside newcomer McClenahan, Milligan marshalled his backline with the aplomb Australian football fans have come to expect in recent times – rarely allowing Lebanon’s pint-sized frontline a chance at Danny Vukovic’s goal.

Ruben Zadkovich and Topor-Stanley again provided impetus from their fullback positions, while from the bench, David Micevski and Ersun Gulum showed some nice touches that complemented Williams’ noteworthy late contribution.

As with last Saturday, this was a performance of genuine quality from Australia, who after back-to-back wins and four successive clean sheets, are ideally positioned to continue Australia’s proud Olympic Games record in Beijing.

"Iraq are in pole position – our challenge is to win our three home games," said Arnold of Australia’s chances of qualification.

"I’m actually happy that we didn’t have it all our own way in the second half, because now the boys know when we go to Lebanon for the next game, that Lebanon can play football."

The Olyroos journey towards the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing continues on Wednesday, 17 October, when they travel to Beirut to again take on Lebanon. Kick off is at 6pm local time.

The Qantas Under 23s last remaining home match of this final qualification stage is on Saturday, 17 November, when they host Iraq at Bluetongue Stadium. Kick off is at 7pm.

Match Details
Australia
1. Danny Vukovic (gk), 2. Ruben Zadkovich, 4. Mark Milligan, 6. Stuart Musialik (39. David Micevski 80’), 7. Kristian Sarkies (27. Ersan Gulum 85’), 9. Mark Bridge, 11. Bruce Djite (19. David Williams 74’), 13. Trent McClenahan, 15. Nick Ward, 20. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 22. Billy Celeski

Unused Subs 16. Leigh Broxham, 17. Aaron Downes, 18. Tando Velaphi (gk), 42. Nigel Boogaard

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals Ward 6’, Bridge 24’, Williams 90’+3

Lebanon
1. Hassan Moghnieh (gk), 2. Ali Al Saadi, 3. Hussein Amine, 5. Ahmad Atwi, 7. Mohamad Atwi (16. Mohamad Ramal 89’), 13. Imad Kassem Saad (11. Hassan Hamdan 70’), 14. Ali Hamie (25. Ayman El Adib 82’), 15. Ali Yaacoub, 17. Diaa Berro, 23. Samer Zeineddine, 30. Hassan Maatouk

Unused Subs 18. Ahmad Ayoub, 22. Hassan Bittar (gk)

Yellow Cards None
Red Cards None
Goals None

Referee Kadyrbek Chynybekov (Kyrgyzstan)