Socceroos end losing streak with win over Saudi Arabia

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Australia picked up their first win in almost 10 months but they were pushed all the way by Saudi Arabia in their friendly international at Craven Cottage.

A 1-0 success over Costa Rica in November 2013 was the last victory for the Socceroos, with three defeats at the World Cup adding to a dismal run of six losses in seven games.

This unconvincing win finally breaks that duck after they looked odds-on to coast the game as Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak scored in the opening six minutes.

Their long-awaited victory was threatened when Hassan Muath scored a second-half penalty and Tayseer Al Jassim struck late on but debutant Bailey Wright's goal in-between those two efforts was just enough to see Australia over the line.

Cahill needed just three minutes to open the scoring, despite a positive start from Saudi Arabia -- who were caught upfield looking to take an early lead of their own.

The New York Red Bulls' midfielder bundled the ball home after the Saudi defence failed to clear following a speedy counter-attack from the Socceroos -- the 36th goal of Cahill's international career.

Captain Jedinak doubled Australia's lead on six minutes, rising highest to head home a wide free-kick unchallenged to silence a large portion of the 3,677 fans inside the home of Sky Bet Championship side Fulham.

Juan Ramon Lopez Caro was seeing his side prove the architects of their own downfall as Waleed Bakshwn was caught in possession by Massimo Luongo, who in turn fed Cahill but his attempt at a dinked effort drifted harmlessly wide.

With the half petering out, Mathew Leckie headed wide as he and Cahill competed for the same ball as Australia failed to add to their early double salvo before the break.

Yasir Alshahrani came close to pulling a goal back just after the interval but could only turn Al Jassim's deep cross over Mitch Langerak's goal.

The second half had little fluidity as both sides introduced a number of players from the bench -- with goalscorers Jedinak and Cahill both replaced within 25 minutes of the re-start.

A defensive mix-up moments after Cahill's departure saw Langerak storm off his line and bring down Mukhtar Fallatah -- with Muath stepping up to half the deficit from the spot.

The goal got Saudi Arabia's tails up and, with their vocal fans whipping up a frenzy, Alshahrani fired over when in a great position to draw his side level.

Australia soon pulled two clear as Wright was on hand to thrash home when the ball dropped to him six yards out, with the Preston defender making no mistake.

Yahia Al Shehri was prevented from scoring a tremendous solo effort after weaving between the Australian defence as his goalbound shot was blocked by Carl Valeri.

Al Jassim had better luck as he arrived perfectly on-time to slide in at the back post and reduce the arrears once more -- but Australia held on in the nervy closing stages to record a much-needed victory.