The Australians' 2-0 win over Bahrain in Sydney yesterday was the seventh successive match in which Schwarzer has not picked the ball out from the back of his net.

The 630 minutes of stubborn resistance leaves Schwarzer one game away from completing an entire qualifying campaign without conceding.

Deep into Wednesday night's match the stand-in Australia skipper could be seen barking at his defenders despite the match being in the home side's control.

That intensity, Schwarzer says, is the key to the side's tight defence.

"You get that far into the game and it doesn't matter whether you are trying to continue a clean sheet run or whether you are trying to get your first one for a while, you don't want to concede a goal," he said.

"Nobody wants to. I don't want to as a goalkeeper and the back four doesn't. It's a real let-down if they score a late goal, even if you win.

"It's unbelievable to think you've got to the final stage of qualification for a World Cup and seven games into it we haven't conceded a goal."

Schwarzer's feat is even more remarkable considering he has played behind a number of different defensive formations as defenders came into - and dropped out of - the starting XI.

The veteran Fulham custodian believes the experience gained by the understudies will be invaluable heading into next year's World Cup.

"Every single one of those players who have played during the campaign has contributed immensely to keeping clean sheets," Schwarzer said.

"That defensive foundation has put us in a great position. It's given us every opportunity to win games.

"They (Bahrain) hardly had a meaningful shot on goal and that comes down to how we defend as a team.

"It's great that these guys get the opportunity to play because you want everyone on song.

"You want these guys playing World Cup qualifiers because there is nothing like playing when something is riding on the game."

Looking ahead at next Wednesday's meeting with Japan in Melbourne - a match that will severely test Schwarzer's run of clean sheets - the Socceroos gloveman said: "It will be a tough game, they're a good side.

"There's a little bit of rivalry between us and Japan and they will want to win and be top of the group, as we do.

"But I've got full confidence that whoever we put out on the park will get the job done."