Australia v Thailand pic special

Australia had 39 shots and 74 per cent possession in a dominant but frustrating display where scores remained 0-0 for more than an hour.

The result means Australia moves above Saudi Arabia into second spot on 19 points for now, with the Green Falcons to play Japan in Jeddah at 3.30am AEST.

Should Saudi Arabia defeat Japan, they will qualify automatically for Russia, leaving Australia to battle through the play-offs.

All three goals were scored in a hectic final 25 minutes, with Mathew Leckie saving Australia's blushes with an 86th minute winner from a corner.

Tomi Juric had headed the Socceroos into the lead on 69 minutes from Aaron Mooy after mass Australia pressure, which included hitting the woodwork several times.

Thailand stunned the hosts when they levelled with Pokkhao Anan from a cutback on 81 minutes.

Australia did well to rally and find a winner, to ensure Saudi Arabia must win against the Samurai Blue.

Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou rang six changes to his starting line-up with Tim Cahill, Bailey Wright, Milos Degenek, Aaron Mooy, Alex Gersbach and Juric all added at the expense of James Troisi, Matt Spiranovic, Jackson Irvine, Massimo Luongo, Brad Smith and Robbie Kruse.

Mooy brushed the post inside the opening 10 minutes after Leckie's cutback, before Tom Rogic forced a save from range on 13 minutes.

Cahill was next to hit the woodwork with a curling effort from the edge of the box on 17 minutes as the frustration grew.

Mooy fizzed a free-kick over the crossbar, before Juric had a volley blocked wide as the first half closed out.

Australia dodged a bullet early in the second half, when Trent Sainsbury appeared to bring down Thai striker Teerasil Dangda inside the box.

Cahill was withdrawn for Kruse, before Australia hit the woodwork for the third time, this time from Rogic's effort from a corner on 65 minutes.

Juric finally broke the deadlock, before a frantic finale where Thailand levelled, only for Leckie to hit the winner, which may prove crucial. 

Australia v Thailand pic special