Graham Arnold's Australia remain on course for World Cup qualification after 2-2 draw with Bahrain

Australia held to 2-2 draw by Bahrain in FIFA World Cup qualification

Australia's hopes of reaching the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar later this year remain alive after they played out a 2-2 draw with Bahrain in a pulsating Asian qualifier on Thursday. The Socceroos, who are bidding to reach the World Cup for a fifth successive time, remain top of Group B with four games remaining, three points ahead of second-placed Japan.

Socceroos fight back from two goals down to earn a point

Goals from Awer Mabil and Martin Boyle earned Australia a point after they had fallen two goals behind inside the opening 20 minutes in Manama. Abdulla Yusuf Helal and Mohamed Al-Romaihi had given Bahrain the perfect start, but Mabil pulled a goal back in the 30th minute and Boyle levelled with a penalty just before half-time.

Australia, who had won their previous three qualifiers, were well below their best in the first half, but they improved significantly after the break and could have won the game in the closing stages. They almost snatched all three points in stoppage time when substitute John Souttar headed against the crossbar.

The draw means that Australia's fate is still in their own hands. They will qualify for the World Cup if they win their remaining four games, starting with the home match against Vietnam in Melbourne on Tuesday.

Match highlights

• Australia fell two goals behind inside the opening 20 minutes.
• Awer Mabil pulled a goal back in the 30th minute.
• Martin Boyle levelled with a penalty just before half-time.
• Australia improved significantly in the second half.
• Substitute John Souttar almost snatched the winner in stoppage time.

Reaction

Australia coach Graham Arnold was frustrated with his team's first-half performance, but he was pleased with the way they responded after the break.

"We didn't start well, but we showed great character to come back from two goals down," Arnold said. "We created a lot of chances in the second half and we could have won the game."

Bahrain coach Helio Sousa was satisfied with his team's performance, but he admitted that they were disappointed not to have won.

"We played very well and we created a lot of chances," Sousa said. "We deserved to win, but we couldn't take our chances in the second half."

What's next?

Australia will host Vietnam in Melbourne on Tuesday, while Bahrain will travel to Japan.