Australia 1 - Thailand 0; Oman 0 - Saudi Arabia 0

Australia needed to rebound from their loss to Oman on Friday by earning at least a draw in Bangkok. A draw on the road to Thailand would be enough to see Australia through to round four of Asian qualifying with a game to spare. Thailand had to move their match from the larger national team stadium due to its use as a refugee center for those displaced by the massive flooding in the capital city. Josh Kennedy was a first-half menace, rising above the shorter Thai defense to knock two headers on frame, but goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool was up to the challenge. Thailand forward Suree Sukha blew a one-on-one six yards out from the Australian goal by firing over the bar. The half ended knotted at zero.

In the second period, Brett Emerton put in a great cross to the head of an open Brett Holman, who nodded home the eventual game-winner with a quarter hour left in the match. The 1-0 road victory gives Australia the Group D title and a spot in the AFC Fourth Round. Thailand have to hope that Saudi Arabia do not win at home to Oman later today, or else Thailand will be eliminated.

Saudi Arabia hosted Oman in Riyadh, with a win being enough to secure the home side a spot in the next phase of qualifying. Saudi Arabia thought they had done enough to grab a lead in the twenty-fifth minute, but their chance went begging off a post. The half ended in a 0-0 tie.

Saudi Arabia pushed for a win in front of their home fans, mindful that anything less would necessitate Saudi Arabia getting a positive result in Australia come Matchday Six. However, it was Oman that earned the best chance of the second period with a free kick in the seventy-fourth minute. The dipping kick was turned away, however, and the match ended 0-0. A frustrated Saudi Arabia picked up four yellow cards in the final fifteen minutes plus stoppage time. With this result, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Thailand are all still in contention for the final round of Asian qualifying come the final matchday in February.

Australia 12 pts - IN

Saudi Arabia 6 pts +1

Oman 5 pts -5

Thailand 4 pts -2

Goals

Australia

Brett Holman 76

Match Reports:

http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/preliminaries/news/newsid=1542918/index.html

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/emerton-admits-socceroos-not-pretty/story-e6frf9if-1226199171976

http://www.theroar.com.au/2011/11/18/socceroos-performances-need-some-perspective/

http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2011/11/15/177380.html

Highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcP5isJSnHc&feature=related (Australia v. Thailand)