Saudi Arabia vs Australia

Kennedy, who also scored in Australia's 2-1 win over Thailand in Brisbane last Friday, scored once in each half in sweltering conditions in Dammam, with the temperature nudging 40 degrees.

He headed home in the 40th minute and slotted the ball in for a second in the 56th minute.

The Saudis pulled a goal back in the 65th minute through substitute Nassir Al Shamrani, when he pounced on a rebound after Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved his penalty attempt.

Luke Wilkshire sealed the win from a 77th minute penalty after Kennedy had his shirt tugged by Hamed Al Montashari.

The victory pushed Australia three points clear at the top of the group, ahead of Thailand, which beat Oman 3-0 in Bangkok in the day's other Group D fixture.

Sompong Soleb fired the host ahead in the 35th minute and Teerasil Dangda made it 2-0 six minutes later. Rashid al Farsi's late own goal compounded Oman's misery.

It was a much more assured and professional display from the Socceroos than their much-criticised performance against Thailand.

Socceroos coach Holger Osieck made three changes to his starting line-up, leaving out star midfielder Tim Cahill along with defender Matthew Spiranovic and midfielder Neil Kilkenny.

Sasa Ognenovski came into the centre of defence, and Michael Zullo at left back, with Matt McKay moving from the latter position into midfield and Mile Jedinak drafted into the midfield.

The Saudis made the early attacking running, but Schwarzer's toughest first half save came from the boot of team-mate Carl Valeri.

He inadvertently diverted the ball towards his own goal and Schwarzer showed good reflexes to use his legs to prevent an embarrassing own goal.

Nawaf Al Abid shot wide in the 17th minute and Ahmed Ateef fired a firm shot straight at Schwarzer 12 minutes later.

Australia created some chances in the final 15 minutes of the first half, with McKay and Brett Holman each shooting wide from the edge of the area.

Kennedy gave the visitor the lead when he soared over a defender to nod home a Wilkshire right wing cross.

Valeri had a fierce drive tipped over the bar in the 49th minute before Saudi Arabia enjoyed a good spell of pressure.

Naif Hazazi had a close range header saved by Schwarzer before Kennedy capitalised on a defensive howler to double the Socceroos' lead.

Hard working Brett Holman picked off an attempted pass from Saudi goalkeeper Hasan Al Otaibi and fed Kennedy, who clinically shot the ball past the home custodian.

The Saudis pulled a goal back after a brief break to remove a firework from the field.

The impressive Zullo was adjudged to have fouled Hazazi and Shamrani forced the ball home after the initial save from Schwarzer.

Hazazi had another header on target as the home team pushed for an equaliser in front of an increasingly vocal crowd.

Its hopes were dashed when Wilkshire blasted home from the spot after Kennedy was pulled back by Al Montashari, though Hazazi hit the bar with a header from a free kick.