Mile Sterjovski, out of favour for most of the English season with Championship side Derby County, brought a dull game to life with his eighth international goal after 55 minutes.

David Carney doubled the lead when he stabbed home from close range after Jason Culina's spectacular bicycle kick hit the post on 88 minutes.

The Socceroos' performance - played out before 39,540 fans - was solid rather than spectacular, but received a pass mark from coach Pim Verbeek.

Australia, already through to the 2010 World Cup finals, top Group A of the Asian qualifying group on 17 points, with Bahrain (seven points) hanging on to third spot.

Sterjovski's goal just before the hour mark set Australia on its way against a competent but outclassed Bahrain.

Carney's long ball was met with a first time pass from Harry Kewell into the box and Sterjovski pounced after Bahrain midfielder Aaish Fouzi hashed his clearance.

Despite indicating he would play his strongest side, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek made eight, mostly forced, changes to the line-up which secured Australia's World Cup spot against Qatar on Sunday.

The game started at a sluggish pace on a bitterly cold Sydney night, with the first real chance arriving after 12 minutes.

Socceroos midfielder Brett Holman received the ball from Kewell outside the box, took a touch before firing a weak shot straight at goalkeeper Sayad Jaffer.

Holman found himself on the end of a misdirected Kewell cross in the 22nd minute but his volley from the edge of the box skewed off his boot and harmlessly wide.

Bahrain was offering little in attack but did come close in the 25th minute.

Skipper Mohamed Salmeen met a corner at the six-yard box but flashed his header well over the crossbar.

A minute later Australian striker Scott McDonald blew a gilt-edged chance to break his international goal scoring drought.

The Celtic forward was set free by a lovely ball from Holman but, with the goal at his mercy, snatched at the opportunity and blasted it well over the bar from the penalty spot.

McDonald's frustration was evident, although he may argue the ball bobbled slightly before he hit it.

The game was now starting to open up, Salmeen flicking on a free kick and forcing Australia goalkeeper Schwarzer to fumble his save over the byline for a corner.

Mile Jedinak picked up the game's first yellow card for his challenge from behind on Salman Isa in the 34th minute.

Australia was struggling for fluency but was enjoying some success with Kewell and Carney down the left.

Carney's far post cross after 38 minutes was met by Sterjovski, but his header lacked both power and direction and was easily cleaned up by the keeper.

Isa worked himself inside the box and let fly with a well-hit shot just before the break, a relieved Schwarzer watching it sail just over his crossbar as a tame first half drew to an end.

Sterjovski's goal after 55 minutes increased the tempo as Bahrain went in search of an equaliser.

Bahrain, desperate for at least a point, was denied a goal six minutes later when Abdulla Marzooqi was ruled offside after heading past Mark Schwarzer.

With the game opening up, Australia created plenty of chances and another goal was almost inevitable.

Culina watched in disbelief as his bicycle kick struck the right post, but Carney followed up on the rebound to steer the ball home to secure a deserved win for the home side.

Australia 2 (Sterjovski 55, Carney 88)
Bahrain 0