Australia made sure of their place in the third stage of Asia s 2022 World Cup qualifying format with a routine 3-0 victory over 10-man Nepal.
After resounding wins over hosts Kuwait and Chinese Taipai, boss Graham Arnold again rung the changes at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium but it made little difference to the outcome.
Mathew Leckie, captain for the night, gave the Socceroos an early advantage and Fran Karacic s maiden international goal had doubled the lead by the time Rohit Chand was sent off for a professional foul on Martin Boyle before half-time.
Boyle completed the scoring, with a seventh consecutive win to wrap up top spot in Group B long beyond doubt before then.
.
A goal made in Scotland!
:
— Socceroos (@Socceroos)
It took Leckie only six minutes to find the breakthrough, meeting left-back Aziz Behich s cross with a powerful header.
Karacic enjoyed a moment to savour in the 38th minute after Leckie skipped past a desperate lunge from Suman Aryal and picked out the Brescia right-back to slot home.
Leckie was involved again shortly afterwards as Nepal s evening took another sour turn, releasing Boyle to be unceremoniously brought down by Chand, who gave the referee little option.
Boyle looked set to experience personal disappointment when he botched a free header early in the second half before slicing into the side netting. But a sublime curling cross from Hibernian team-mate Jackson Irvine in the 57th minute allowed the 28-year-old to tap in from close range.
