eplmatches.com

Australia left it late to maintain their perfect start to World Cup qualifying Group One as Mark Bresciano’s goal earned them a barely deserved win over Bahrain in Manama today.

Bresciano capitalised on a mistake from Bahrain captain Mohamed Husain in stoppage time to make the hosts pay for missing a host of earlier chances.

Australia now top the group with maximum points from three games, while Bahrain have just one.

Bahrain started brightly and Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer had to be alert early on, first to push away Abdulla Baba Fatadi’s cross-shot and then to block Jaycee John’s effort after he had skinned full-back David Carney.