MELBOURNE, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Australia kicked off Asia's second round of World Cup qualifying with a 7-0 demolition of Bangladesh on Thursday as Graham Arnold celebrated a record 59th 'A' international as Socceroos coach. "Overall it was a good performance but I think we still need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal," Arnold told reporters. Australia face Palestine in Kuwait next week, their next step on the road to the 2026 finals in North America. Thursday's match also marked the 50th anniversary of Australia sealing qualification for the 1974 World Cup, the nation's first appearance at the global showpiece. Australia are bidding to qualify for the World Cup for the seventh time, and sixth time in succession, having reached the round of 16 at last year's tournament in Qatar.

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Persons: Graham Arnold, Jamie Maclaren, Mitchell Duke, Arnold, Harry, Craig Goodwin, Brandon Borrello, Connor Metcalfe, Mitul Marma, Duke, Metcalfe, Borrello, Maclaren, Jordan Bos, pouncing, Massimo Luongo, pinged, Lewis Miller, Kusini Yengi, Luongo, Aiden O’Neill, Frank Farina, Ian Ransom, Andrew Heavens, Toby Davis Organizations: MELBOURNE, Socceroos, 183rd, Melbourne, Thomson Locations: Australia, Bangladesh, Palestine, Kuwait, North America, Qatar, Melbourne