Australia Reached The Final Stage Of Asia's 2014 World Cup : BANGKOK

BANGKOK: Australia reached the final stage of Asia's 2014 World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 win in Bangkok on Tuesday but they were made to work for their victory by a gutsy Thailand.

A second-half goal from Brett Holman was enough to give the Socceroos three points from a scrappy performance and take them through with 12 points from five games.

Australia were keen to reassert themselves after losing their 100 percent win record in Friday's shock 1-0 defeat to Oman, but they rarely gelled against a Thai side who put on a fighting display for their fans.

A near-capacity crowd at Supachalasai National Stadium, used instead of the normal Rajamangala venue which is occupied by refugees from Bangkok's crippling floods, provided buoyant support for the home team.

And Thailand marginally shaded the first half as Australian left-back Michael Zullo endured a torrid evening against the pace and aggression of winger Suree Sukha.

Thailand wasted two good chances to score in the first half, both coming from diagonal balls behind Zullo.

At the other end, goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool was equal to anything Australia's burly strikeforce could throw at him, saving well from two Josh Kennedy headers and calmly claiming a number of crosses under pressure.

But with 15 minutes to go, a cross from former Blackburn man Brett Emerton on the right found Holman unmarked six yards out and he made no mistake with the header.

Australia are now assured of joining Asian champions Japan, Uzbekistan and Jordan in the final round of qualifying. (AFP)

Posted in: Amazing football