November 20, 2008

AUSTRALIA have stolen an amazing and clearly undeserved 1-0 win over Bahrain in Manama to move into a commanding position for World Cup qualification.

A goal to Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano in the dying seconds sealed three points for Australia despite the away team being completely outplayed by the enthusiastic home side throughout the match.

Pim Verbeek's men had barely threatened to score all match in a disjointed performance that reflected the hurried preparations for the game which was sandwiched between European club fixtures.

But Bresciano broke the defence in the third minute of injury time and fired home the winner to inflict the cruellest of losses and silence the loud-singing home fans at the Bahrain National Stadium.

"I cannot say that I'm not happy with the three points, because I'm very happy with the three points," Verbeek said.

"Especially because we didn't deserve to have three points today.

"I think a point should have been already very good for us and if you have three you can only say that you are lucky to win.

"I feel sorry for my colleague (Bahrain coach) Milan Macala because his team played very well and he's going home with zero points."

Australia sit atop their five-team group with a maximum nine points from three matches and have taken another giant leap towards qualification with five matches to go.

Japan are in second on seven points after beating Qatar 3-0, with the Asian powerhouses beginning to break clear of Qatar (four points), Bahrain and Uzbekistan (both one).

The top two teams in each group qualify automatically for South Africa 2010.

Match-winner Bresciano said the team could not afford to get ahead of itself, particularly after this performance.

"We're one step closer to the World Cup, but we can't think about it. We've got to straight away think about the next game in February against Japan," he said.

Needing a win to climb out of fifth position in the six-team group, Bahrain came out firing and were denied taking the lead in the first half only by two fine saves from Mark Schwarzer.

Schwarzer blocked early shots from Abdulla Fatadi and Nigerian-born striker Jaycee John, who was particularly impressive for the home side.

Harry Kewell, one of many Australians who were some way off their best, had Australia's first genuine chance shortly before half-time but misguided his header from a David Carney cross.

The Bahrainis continued to press through some shaky Australia defence and created chance after chance before a Carney squandered a good opportunity for Australia just after half-time.

Bahrain, buoyed by a smallish but extremely vocal crowd, threw everything at Australia in the closing stages and could have scored on several occasions.

But a misguided Bahraini header allowed Bresciano to break into space and land the killer blow.

Star midfielder Tim Cahill had little impact on the match and appeared to be hampered by his foot problem before being substituted late in the game.