Australian fans nervous about the prospect of a tough draw in Group A had their fears allayed as their European-based stars took centre stage, stamping their class all over the game with three goals in the first half in Dutchman Pim Verbeek's first game in charge.

Josh Kennedy, Tim Cahill and Mark Bresciano put their names on the scoresheet in the first 45 minutes, but the intensity dropped noticeably in the second half with the Socceroos content to defend their lead.

Qatar looked all at sea against the bigger, stronger and quicker opponents, creating very little attacking opportunities, apart from a brief period in the second half.

Former Asian Player of the Year Khalfan Ibrahim was one of the few players to cause the Australian defenders any trouble and coach Jorge Fossati will be well aware of the giant steps his team need to take to progress through the group.

Australia's opener came in the 10th minute when Brett Emerton delivered an excellent cross for Kennedy to rise above two defenders and head home his second goal for his country.

Cahill, who had gone close in the opening minutes, then squandered his second chance of the game, looping a header over the bar from Lucas Neill's gentle cross.

It was third time lucky on 17 minutes, however, for the Everton midfielder when Luke Wilkshire's corner found Cahill unmarked at the near post and he easily beat Mohammed Saqr with a strong header for his 13th goal in 28 international matches.

In a rare surge forward for Qatar, captain Saad Sattam tried to lift his side with a well-taken free kick, but Ali Afif could not get onto the end of it, making the save easy for Mark Schwarzer.

At the other end, the chances were flowing thick and fast, with Mark Bresciano laying off for Kennedy, whose shot was denied by Saqr's right foot.

On 33 minutes it was 3-0, when Scott McDonald turned, threaded a pass to Bresciano, and the Palermo man made no mistake when one-on-one with the helpless Qatari keeper.

The relentless Australian pressure continued, with Cahill's close-range header soon after again repelled by Saqr, while Neill's low shot went close to being tapped in by McDonald on the cusp of half time.

The first chance of the second half came from an unlikely source in Wilkshire, prompting a fumble from Saqr and a hurried clearance. Cahill then headed just wide, before Bresciano shot straight at the keeper.

Qatar should have pulled one back just before the hour when Ali Afif crossed for substitute Mesaad Alhamad, who only needed to tap home, but missed. Alhamad returned the favour soon after but Schwarzer saved well.

Mohammed Koni and Craig Moore were booked in quick succession, while Cahill was replaced by Carl Valeri after 66 minutes and John Aloisi came on for the injured Kennedy.

Aloisi had his chances to score and could have done better when one-on-one with Saqr late in the game, but Australia's 33-minute first-half blitz was enough to give them the perfect start along the road to South Africa.