Oman vs Australia

A clinical 18th-minute strike from Amad Al Hosni kept Oman's qualification hopes alive and frustrated an Australian side lacking fluency and penetration.

The Socceroos had plenty of possession and territory and created several half chances, but rarely tested the home goalkeeper.

Oman showed plenty of defensive resolve to clinch its first win in five attempts against Australia.

The Socceroos remain top of their group heading into Tuesday's match against Thailand in Bangkok.

Australia coach Holger Osieck, who suffered just his third loss in 20 matches in charge, made two changes to the team that thumped Oman 3-0 in Sydney last month.

He recalled veterans Harry Kewell and Mark Schwarzer in place of Michael Zullo and Adam Federici.

Osieck pushed Kewell up alongside striker Josh Kennedy and moved the versatile Matt McKay to left-back.

Brett Holman had a potential 27th-minute equaliser wiped out by a close offside call and a second-half penalty shout for a challenge on Luke Wilkshire was rejected.

In the first half, the Oman goalkeeper comfortably saved a deflected shot from Holman and watched headers from Matthew Spiranovic and Mile Jedinak miss the target, all from set pieces.

Kewell was off the mark with two shots and Wilkshire with another.

The decisive goal came after Australia lost the ball deep in the Oman half.

Mohammed Al Makhaini delivered a through ball to Al Hosni who got in ahead of Rhys Williams and drove a fierce shot past Schwarzer from the edge of the penalty area.

The strike ended a 400-minute goal drought for the home team, boosting its confidence.

Dead ball exponent Hussain Al Hadri twice went close with quality free-kicks.

Veteran Brett Emerton replaced fullback Williams in the 74th minute.