Australia's World Cup destiny remains in their own hands and they have given themselves every chance of securing a direct route to Russia after a narrow 3-2 win over Saudi Arabia at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
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Tom Rogic's second-half thunderbolt gave the hosts the edge after Tomi Juric struck twice in an opening half which ended with the score locked at two goals apiece.
But it was far from easy and Ange Postecoglou's side will have to play with much greater cohesion and passing accuracy if they are to complete the job in their final two games.
Postecoglou admitted his team were "scrappy" in the first half as they twice led a single goal lead slip- but was delighted with the pressure they put on in the second period, particularly with the contribution of Aaron Mooy and Tom Rogic, whose thunderbolt drive just past the hour mark sealed all three points for the hosts.
"I thought the first half we were a bit nervy although we started off well enough. I thought the second half we played well, we should have had a penalty.
"Aaron really grew into in the second half.Tom was a bit frustrated with his first half, he is a hell of a player. The best is ahead of him. He owed us one."
They remain in third position in this group, but now have 16 points, the same as Japan and the Saudis. The former have a goal difference of plus nine, the Saudis plus seven and the Socceroos plus six.
A point away in Japan in their penultimate match, and a win at home against Thailand in the final game should be enough for Australla but much will depend on the outcome of the Saudi Arabia's game against Japan in September. The Saudis must also face their gulf neighbours UAE.
Australia got off to the sort of start Postecoglou would have been hoping for, although there was a huge element of luck involved.
Saudi goalkeeper Yasser Al Mosailem, who had almost gifted the hosts an opener a couple of minutes earlier when he kicked the ball into Australia striker Tomi Juric, clearly hadn't learned his lesson.
He slipped as he kicked a long clearance and the ball went straight to the big Swiss-based forward. Juric controlled the errant clearance well and volleyed a 25 metre chip into the empty net.
One up after seven minutes, Australia had the platform to go on and dominate this game against opponents who not only were uncomfortable in the cooler temperates but seemed ill at ease against their hosts.
But they failed to take their opportunity, and the Saudis began to find their groove.
Australia had started at a high tempo, playing an energetic pressing game which was preventing the Saudi rearguard from settling and stopping them developing moves from the back.
But as soon as they got their goal, Postecoglou's men seemed to drop their pace.
Their passing was awry, their movement slowed, and, crucially, they were giving the visitors time to find their rhythm and some confidence.
Trent Sainsbury dwelt on the ball and was robbed by Mohammed Al Sahlawi, who shot wide, then Mat Ryan's clearance was charged down by the same man.
Al Sahlawi had given due notice that he could be a threat, and in the 23rd minute he played a key role in crafting the visitor's first equaliser.
But there were several question marks against the Australians midfield and defence as they lost possession then stood like statues, allowing Salem Aldawsari to scythe through the centre of the park, play a one-two with Al Sahlawi and then show plenty of composure to drive past Ryan.
Australia conjured a goal out of nothing in the 36th minute thanks to some good approach work by Rogic and Mathew Leckie, the latter getting past the defence on the right and chipping a delightful cross towards Juric.
The striker was the beneficiary of the Saudi's leaden footed defence as he found himself in plenty of space with all the time to direct a header wide of Al Mosailem.
It was hardly deserved, but it only took the visitors 10 minutes to get back on terms. As the half time whistle loomed Yahia Alshehri fed Taiseer Al Jassem down the flank and Al Sahlawi found the space and the quality to finish from a narrow angle to bring the Saudis level once again.
Australia began the second period with more gusto but struggled to create much until just after the hour mark, when Rogic's first time shot from Leckie's cross was deflected for a corner.
And it was the big Celtic forward who broke the deadlock and soothed Socceroo nerves two minutes later with a bullet of a shot form outside the area which restored the advantage.
Substitute Aziz Behich won the ball inside the Saudi half, the ricochet falling to Mooy. He played a pass to Rogic whose shot gave Al Mosailem no chance.
Both teams looked as if they could cough up goals, and it took desperate defending from Trent Sainsbury, with an excellent challenge, then Milos Degenek, to deny the Saudis a third equaliser on the break.
At the other end Juric ballooned a chance for his hat trick over the bar after being set up by Behich, who was impressive as a second half replacement for Brad Smith.
