Australia's perfect start to its 2010 World Cup campaign has continued as the Socceroos notched up their third win from as many starts, inflicting a 1-0 defeat over Bahrain in spectacular fashion, via the boot of Mark Bresciano in injury time.
Australia had rarely threatened the Bahrain goal until late in injury time when a goal kick from Mark Schwarzer fortuitously fell into the path of Bresciano, who escaped the Bahrain defence to run into the area and smartly chip goalkeeper Mohammed Jaffer to give the Socceroos one of the more remarkable wins in their World Cup campaigns to date.
"I cannot say that I'm not happy with the three points, because I'm very happy with the three points," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said after the match.
"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."
Fielding a line-up minus regular starters Vince Grella and Craig Moore in defence, and with the decision to start an injured Tim Cahill up front, Australia was tested early as Bahrain enjoyed the majority of possession and dominated shots at goal in a rather lop-sided first half of football in which the Socceroos were unable to emerge with a solitary shot on target.
As early as the ninth minute, Australia was rolling in defence as Abdulla Fatai slipped between both Chris Coyne and David Carney to skip into the area, however his rushed shot from the right side of the box was clearly sighted and easily cleared by the ever alert Schwarzer.
Schwarzer was then put under immense pressure as the skills of striker Jaycee Jones combined with several swerving long range efforts from Fatai had Bahrain asking questions which fortunately for the Australian cause were all answered by the Socceroos No.1.
Indeed, Australia's only real chance of the first half fell in the 38th minute when Harry Kewell found himself in space and with ample time to put a shot on target however his header from Carney's cross was well wide of the near post.
After the interval, Bahrain picked up from where they left off and with sustained pressure came a glut of opportunities for the home side to break the deadlock.
In the 46th minute, Fawzi Aaish tested Schwarzer with a low volley on goal however the Australian keeper was up to the task and the danger was averted.
Bahrain however continued to press the Socceroos as fundamental errors and lazy marking in defence played into the hands of the hosts. No less than a minute after Aaish's shot was parried away, Schwarzer was again called into action to help clear a powerful drive from Isa, and his skills were again up to the test when John headed neatly towards goal in the 53rd minute.
Australia then enjoyed a healthy share of possession however couldn't break down a resilient Bahrain defence which continued to break down the Socceroos raids towards goal.
A difficult chance fell to Carney in the 57th minute after solid build up work from Josh Kennedy in the area however the ex-Sydney FC midfielder could only blast his shot into the side netting from close range.
Another half chance fell to the Socceroos minutes later when Cahill found himself with possession 35 metres out