Melbourne: A spirited Thailand gave Australia a scare before losing 2-1 in the War Elephants' last World Cup qualifying game for the 2018 finals yesterday.
Mathew Leckie ensured Australia's win in the 86th minute with a left-foot drive from close range.
Tomi Juric broke the deadlock after 69 minutes to give the hosts the lead when he nodded in a cross from Aaron Mooy.
Pokklaw A-Nan then stunned the home crowd at the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium with his equaliser against the run of play in the 82nd minute, only for Leckie to salvage the result for Australia.
Australia moved into second place in Group B of Asia's final qualifying round for Russia 2018.
Saudi Arabia had to win at home against already-qualified Japan later last night to overhaul the Socceroos for a guaranteed spot at next year's World Cup finals.
The top two teams of Group A and Group B receive automatic entry to the World Cup, and the two third-place teams go into a play-off with the winners facing a Concacaf side for another berth.
Thailand ended their World Cup qualifying campaign with two points from home draws with Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
At the Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, the Australians went in with an attacking mindset but were unable to capitalise on 75 percent of possession in the first half.
The home side hit the post twice and forced two good saves from Thailand goalkeeper Sinthaweechai Hathairattanakool but the game remained goalless at the break.
"We got at them. It was a little bit disappointing [about] their goal on the counter-attack, but overall we got ourselves in good scoring positions," Australia skipper Mark Milligan said.
"I don't know how many times we hit the post. We gave it everything we had tonight. Credit to Thailand, they hung firm on their 18-yard box for a long time."
The Asian champions peppered the Thai goal from the outset, with Hertha Berlin's Leckie featuring heavily on the right wing.
Mooy and veteran talisman Tim Cahill both hit the post, and Tom Rogic's long-range volley was saved by Sinthaweechai.
Juric wasted a free-kick, blasting high over the bar, and also had a great goal-bound chance blocked by Adisorn Promrak.
Thailand's best moments came through their skipper Teerasil Dangda, and Australia goalkeeper Mat Ryan was fortunate to escape punishment for bringing down the forward wide of the goal area.
The Socceroos had 15 shots to Thailand's three in the opening half, with two on target and four blocked.
Thailand were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Teerasil, on a breakaway, was brought down inside the box by defender Trent Sainsbury.
New Zealand advance
In Honiara, New Zealand wrapped up the Oceania World Cup qualifiers yesterday with a 2-2 draw with the Solomon Islands and now face an intercontinental play-off.
If they are to make the World Cup in Russia next year, New Zealand must now win a home-and-away series in November against the fifth-ranked South American side which could be Lionel Messi-led Argentina.
New Zealand beat the Solomon Islands 8-3 on aggregate after claiming the first leg of their Oceania qualifier 6-1 in Auckland last week.
New Zealand went 2-0 ahead with early goals from Myer Bevan and an own goal by Nelson Sale.
Micah Lea'alafa and Henry Fa'arodo replied with penalties for the Solomons. bangkok post/agencies