The Blackburn Rovers man, playing in a more advanced role on the right, struck on 17 minutes to put the Socceroos in front. Mark Bresciano's low cross from the left was missed by Kewell but tucked away at the far post by Emerton.

It was Emerton who struck again on 56 minutes as he raced on to a pass from the hard-working Brett Holman, took a touch and then flicked the ball into the left hand corner of the net.

Kewell then had an effort inexplicably ruled out before the skipper banged home the third with 15 minutes remaining.

Holman crossed from the left byline,a defender missing his clearing header and there was Kewell to cushion the ball before ramming it into the net.

Mark Schwarzer was denied a clean sheet though as Qatar found a consolation in the final minute but it hardly mattered.

Schwarzer, Wilkshire and Carney all picked up bookings which now rule them out of the final group match against China next week but Verbeek is unlikely to be too concerned about that. Surely a chance for others to come in and impress.

Minute-by-minute FourFourTwo match report:

QATAR 1 AUSTRALIA 3

94 Full-time: It's all over in Doha. Final score Qatar 1 Australia 3. The Socceroos are through to the final stage of qualifying for World Cup 2010.

90+2 Holman leans back and his shot from the right edge of the box flies over the top.

90 There will be four minutes of added time.

90 Goal: 3-1. No clean sheet for Schwarzer. He makes a fine initial block but can't prevent Khalfan slamming home the loose ball.

88 Wilkshire booked. His second of the campaign and that's him out of the China game as well.

86 Beauchamp concedes a sloppy, needless corner but Emerton clears easily.

85 Pim Verbeek decides it's time for a change. Off goes Kewell to be replaced by Bruce Djite.

83 Culina lofts ball towards Kewell but the keeper comes out to claim the cross on the edge of the area.

82 North concedes free-kick on left edge of the area. The cross/shot flies wide of the right post.

81 Beauchamp concedes a corner as Quintana surges down the right.

80 Qatar cross from the left drifts out harmlessly for a goal-kick.

78 More great work by North, pressurises his opponent by the right corner flag and wins possession.

77 North penalised for a foul in central position. The free-kick is driven low and hard but it's well gathered by Schwarzer.

75 Goal: 3-0 and this time it's Harry Kewell. Holman's cross from the left byline is missed by the home defence, Kewell controls and thrashes the ball past the keeper from close range.

74 Schwarzer booked for time-wasting. His second of qualifying and he will miss the China game.
73 Qatar ball down the right rolls out for a goal-kick.

72 A lucky escape for Australia. Carney brings his opponent down with a clumsy challenge but the referee waves play on.

71 Bresciano's free-kick clatters into the wall and rolls harmlessly through to the goalkeeper.

70 Valeri fouled in a central position some 25 metres from goal.

68 Australia just keeping possession and preventing Qatar trying to build any momentum.

67 Culina moves in quickly to break up a Qatar attack down the left.

66 Emerton threads a ball in for Kewell from the right but the Australian captain can't quite pounce on the opportunity.

65 Qatar make an attacking change.

64 Wilkshire delivers from the right but Kewell offside again.

63 Australia almost break clear but Emerton robbed of possession.

61 Bresciano is clattered. Australia are finding the gaps in the home defence but still need to remain alert.

59 Bresciano's cross from the right is fired into the net by Kewell but the goal is ruled out. No idea why. Emerton may have been pulled up for a foul in the build up. Didn't appear to be one though.

58 Australia almost caught napping and vital interception by North at the expense of a corner.

56 Goal: 2-0. It's Emerton again! Kewell flicks on to Holman, he lofts a wonderful ball into the path of Emmmo, one touch and prods it past the keeper into the bottom left hand corner of the net. He's on a hat-trick.

55 The Qatar goalkeeper needs some treatment after defying Emerton.

54 Saqr does just enough with his challenge to prevent Emerton making it 2-0, then the ball is whipped off Kewell's toes on the edge of the box.

53 Qatar putting on some pressure and Australia trying to get the ball out of their own half.

52 Valeri booked for kicking the ball away.

51 Kewell crowded out on the edge of the area following a throw from Carney.

50 Holman's cross into the area is headed clear after good work from Kewell and Bresciano.

49 Ball played down the right but Kewell is caught offside.

47 Brief stoppage after Qatar player hits the deck. Australia kick the ball out.

46 Good start to the second half by Qatar. Cross lofted over from the right and a header zips over the crossbar from around the penalty spot. A free header and an early warning for the Socceroos.

46 Australia get us underway for the second half.

Half-Time: Qatar 0 Australia 1. Brett Emerton's goal has given the visitors the advantage in Doha. Pim Verbeek should be fairly happy with the first half but Qatar are certainly not out of this yet. The Socceroos cannot afford to switch off. A second goal would be just the ticket lads.

45+5 Free-kick lofted over from the right but it drifts beyond the left post and out for a goal-kick. That's the last action of the first half.

45+3 North fouled as he tries to shield the ball out for a goal-kick.

45+2 Schwarzer races out to deny Quintana but the flag is up - not that Schwarzer was to know.

45 There will be five minutes of stoppage time.

45 Half-time approaching in Doha. Ali turns inside the area but fires well wide of the right post.

44 Beauchamp is receiving treatment but he's able to continue.

43 Beauchamp caught by a late challenge and Ali is booked.

42 Good work between Emerton and Bresciano. The latter's cross from the right is cleared easily.

41 Wilkshire earns his side a free-kick.

39 Spectacular effort from Qatar flies wide of the left post after Australia fail to clear their lines. Schwarzer furious with his defenders.

38 The resulting inswinging free-kick is pushed over the crossbar.

37 Great run by Quintana and he wins a free-kick on the right edge of the area after a foul by Valeri.

35 Kewell crowded out on the edge of the area. Qatar break quickly but can't capitalise.

34 North penalised for a push. Free-kick to Qatar on the left. It's headed goalwards but comfortably held by Schwarzer.

33 Qatar change. Off goes Koni to be replaced by Ibrahim.

32 Wilkshire's cross towards the far post but it drifts out.

30 A cross loops up off Beauchamp and on to the roof of the net. Worryingly, Schwarzer suddenly hits the deck. Looks like a groin problem and he's getting treatment. He's back on his feet though thankfully.

29 Terrific stop by Schwarzer by the left post. He tips over a stinging strike at the expense of a corner. Qatar cannot capitalise from the set piece.

28 Emerton caught offside as he stretches to try and reach Valeri's cross, this moments after dragging an effort wide.

27 Schwarzer comfortably holds on a to a free-kick that whistles towards the right post from distance.

26 Carney goes into the book for a trip. It's costly as it's his second of qualifying and he will miss the game against China.

25 North clears under pressure by the right corner flag.

24 A brief pause in proceedings for further treatment.

23 The Qatar skipper hits the deck again clutching his leg. Surely he has to go off?

22 Wilkshire whips over a corner from the left and it's headed out for another set piece. Australia really putting on the pressure.

21 So close to 2-0. More great movement from Australia. Bresc gets round the keeper, pulls the ball back to Holman but Qatar clear.

20 Two Qatar players are not moving freely and Koni still looks to be struggling with his hamstring.

18 Qatar temporarily down to 10 men as a player leaves for treatment.

17 Goal: Australia lead 1-0. Bresciano's low cross from the left is missed by Kewell but tucked away at the back post by Brett Emerton.

16 The Qatar skipper Koni is clutching his hamstring.

15 Wilkshire puts in a challenge that sees the ball cannon off Qatar and out for a goal-kick.

14 Beuachamp halts Quintana's charge towards goal after an Australia attack breaks down.

13 Important interception and clearance by North. Culina goes down injured briefly but soon back on his feet.

12 Bresciano fouled in the centre of the park.

11 Pim's men keeping possession well until Emerton crowded out by the right corner flag.

10 North heads clear but the flag is up for offside against Qatar.

9 Bresciano can't get on the end of a delivery and it's out for another goal-kick.

8 The short corner is not a success and Australia waste a good chance to put pressure on their hosts.

7 Kewell bursts into the area and his shot from the left is blocked at the expense of a corner.

6 Holman concedes a free-kick on the left flank and it's another chance for Qatar to get the ball into the box. Thankfully for Australia, the delivery isn't great and the ball drifts out for a goal-kick.

5 Ali speeds down the right flank but his cross goes well beyond the far post.

4 Good movement by Australia. Bresciano's low cross from the right flies across the face of goal but there's no-one there to tuck the ball home.

3 It's been a positive start by Qatar but a foul on North gives Australia a moment to catch their breath.

2 The free-kick is bent around the wall and Schwarzer has to fly to his left to tip the ball round the post for a corner. The resulting set piece is headed behind for another corner by North.

1 Jade North penalised for a foul some 30 metres from goal in a central spot.

It will be Qatar to kick off and we're off....

The teams are out on the pitch and the respective national anthems are now being played.

Vince Grella is suspended, Mark Bresciano is back and Chris Coyne makes way for this one as Verbeek looks to have opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Pim Verbeek has picked the following side to take on Qatar in Doha: Mark Schwarzer, Luke Wilkshire, David Carney, Michael Beauchamp, Jade North, Brett Emerton, Jason Culina, Carl Valeri, Mark Bresciano, Brett Holman, Harry Kewell.