Ajdin Hrustic's late deflected strike sealed a 2-1 victory over the United Arab Emirates that positioned Australia one win away from the World Cup.
The Socceroos couldn't muster a shot on target in the first half of of a do-or-die play-off on the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium and that they were indebted to Mat Ryan for two times denying Harib Abdalla Suhail at his near post.
Australia got into their stride after spoil and had been in the front when Jackson Irvine grew to become in Martin Boyle's go from close variety with 53 minutes long past.
The UAE were stage four mins later while Caio Canedo fired into the roof of the internet from six yards out with his left foot after Suhail's go precipitated panic within the Socceroos defence.
Craig Goodwin neglected a remarkable threat to put Graham Arnold's side back in the front, however the decisive second got here six mins from time as Hrustic let fly with a powerful left-foot strike that hit Ali Salmeen and gave goalkeeper Khalid Eisa no chance.
Australia will face Peru in an intercontinental play-off on the same venue subsequent Monday, with the winner sealing their location within the showpiece in Qatar. The UAE's watch for a primary World Cup appearance considering 1990 goes on.
