Australia Socceroos put five past Bangladesh in World Cup qualifier

The Socceroos have ripped Bangladesh to shreds in their World Cup qualifier with a ruthless 5-0 victory in Perth.

The reigning Asian Cup champions were never troubled on Thursday night against the world's 173rd-ranked side, who were well off the pace in just about every department.

It took just six minutes for Australia to open the scoring and the manner in which they did so was a pointer to the utter dominance they would enjoy.

A simple cutback from Massimo Luongo found Mathew Leckie in the box, and he routinely swept home the ball underneath the outstretched glove of Bangladesh goalkeeper Sahidul Alam, who was under siege all night long.

Making his first international appearance in more than a year, midfielder Tom Rogic added the next two goals in the eighth and 20th minutes, the latter aided by a wicked deflection.

Nathan Burns provided the next just before the half-hour mark, while Aaron Mooy made it 5-0 in the 61st minute with a long-range screamer from outside the box.

In truth, the margin could and should have been far greater, but Australia clearly coasted through the second half and missed some easy chances from close range.

It all made for a party atmosphere for the crowd of 19,495 at nib Stadium, the biggest at the venue for a football match.

The turnout was a strong statement from the Perth public in the first Socceroos game held there in a decade.

Coach Ange Postecoglou had attempted to play down the chances of a bloodbath but, despite trying a new diamond midfield formation and some fresh combinations, he would have taken next to nothing from the match.

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However, some of his selections were intriguing, not the least of which the decision to bench Tim Cahill, who had been unveiled as stand-in skipper the day before the match.

A sterner test no doubt awaits next week in Dushanbe against Tajikistan, who sit 153rd on the Fifa rankings.

Postecoglou described the win as "another step forward", praising his players for staying disciplined in the circumstances.

"It could have been easy to go out there and try and get some cheap goals and do things on an individual basis," he said.

"We had a physical advantage, we could have used that to win the game.

"It just shows the players are really focused on what we're trying to do and what the team is trying to be.

"While there were easier avenues out there for them they preferred to do things our way which I think is a good lesson."

Bangladesh assistant coach Saiful Barititu admitted the Socceroos were a class above but was still proud of his team's efforts.

"The way the boys gave 100 per cent, we should be happy. There's no other way," he said.

Australia 5 (Mathew Leckie 6m, Tomas Rogic 8m, 20m, Nathan Burns 29m, Aaron Mooy 61m) Bangladesh 0 at nib Stadium. Crowd: 19,495. Referee: Vo Minh Tri