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Thailand dominated for most of the match in a very poor performance overall from the Socceroos which saw them struggle to hold onto the ball in the face of a well-drilled home side.

Their surging runs up the right wing will haunt leftback Michael Zullo who had a nightmare first half as they exploited his lack of defensive ability over and over again.

But an inability to convert possession and opportunities into goals ultimately cost them the game as full-time approached.

After 76 minutes of an otherwise miserable performance from Australia, the Socceroos finally retained possession long enough to mount a quick counter attack.

Brett Emerton raced upfield to feed a perfect ball across the box to Brett Holman who capitalised on poor defence and even worse goalkeeping to head it home and claim all three points.

The goal silenced the huge home crowd and the Thailand attack, deflated after being denied despite their domination - and in the dying minutes, Australia finally took control but couldn't add to their tally.

Australia now top the group with 12 points from five games and have guaranteed their progress to  the next group stage of World Cup qualification.

Despite a surprise 1-0 defeat to Oman on Saturday, Australia only needed one point to seal top spot in Group D of third-round qualifying in the Asian Football Confederation.

After being outclassed in the first half, Holger Osieck's men attempted to assert themselves in the second 45 minutes.

While gaining a greater share of the ball, they were restricted to fleeting sights of goal, with Matthew Spiranovic and Josh Kennedy both heading wide from set pieces early in the half.

Before Holman's winner, the biggest flashpoint of the second half took place in the technical area.

Osieck was the man in the spotlight, furiously berating his players for failing to play on, as several Thailand players hit the deck in an apparent bid to run down the clock.

Theatrics aside, the hosts appeared set to earn a point through a disciplined performance, before a counter-attack started and finished by Holman undid their hard work.

Picking up possession just inside the opposition half, the AZ Alkmaar forward spread the ball wide to Brett Emerton. Holman then arrived in the box to meet Emerton's cross, heading low beyond Kosin Hathairattanakool in the Thailand goal.

The hosts had few opportunities to undo the damage in the 12 minutes remaining.

Under pressure from Lucas Neil, Chonratit Jantakam's header flashed wide of goal from close range. And Jakkaphun Kaewprom's shot fell harmlessly on the roof of the net in the final seconds.

Earlier, Australia had enjoyed the first sight of goal in the match, when Kennedy headed Michael Zullo's cross directly at Hathairattanakool two minutes in.

But despite that promising start, it was Thailand who went on to dictate terms. Recalled after starting the match against Oman among the substitutes, Zullo was targeted at left-back and the converted winger was often under pressure.

Suree Sukha, who failed to make an appearance during his one season with Manchester City, was a constant threat, and wasted the best chance of the half on 34 minutes.

Played in behind a static Australia defence, Sukha found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer but could only blaze over from a tight angle.

It was not the first warning shot across the Socceroos' bow; Kirati Keawsombut had also gone close, firing over a first-time strike from Sukha's cross in the 16th minute.

At the other end, Kennedy did find the target a second time in the half, stooping to head an Emerton delivery goalwards. Hathairattanakool's save was routine, and reflective of Thailand's comfort throughout the first 45 minutes.

But for all their endeavours, to the victors go the spoils. Thailand were left to rue their inability to capitalise on a hard-working display, while Australia move on to the final group stage, with a third consecutive World Cup finals in their sights.


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