Australia held to draw by Saudi Arabia after four-goal thriller

Asian champions Australia lost their 100 percent record in the final round of 2018 AFC World Cup qualifying when former AFC Player of the Year Nassir Al Shamrani came off the bench to score a 79th minute equaliser for Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.

But the draw was enough to keep the Socceroos top of Group B on goal difference from the Saudis.

Al Shamrani's close-range goal came after Tomi Juric had put Australia ahead eight minutes earlier at the King Abdullah Sports City.

Earlier, Taisir Al Jassem gave Saudi Arabia the lead after five minutes before Aussie centre-back Trent Sainsbury equalised for Ange Postecoglou's side just before halftime from an Aaron Mooy corner.

Valencia goalkeeper Mathew Ryan preserved a point for Australia with a sharp save in the 81st minute, but Australia also had their chances to snatch victory.

The Socceroos made the worst possible start when they conceded a right-footed goal from Al Jassem after Nawaf Al Abed's through ball had released Yahya Al Sheri.

The Saudis dominated the early exchanges, but the visitors gradually worked their way into the match and almost equalised in the 43rd minute when Bournemouth full-back Brad Smith hit the outside of the post.

Two minutes later, Sainsbury rose highest from the Mooy inswinging corner to put the teams level at 1-1 at the break.

Tomi Juric put Australia in front for the first time, just 19 minutes from full-time.

Hashim Al Abdullah/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

---

Robbie Kruse's run down the right saw the Bayer Leverkusen attacker get behind the Saudi defence with a cross the played in Juric at the far post.

But eight minutes later, Hassan Fallatah's long-range shot was hammered home by Al Shamrani for 2-2.

"Not getting off to an ideal start didn't help things and conceding the goal as well," said Australia coach Ange Postecoglou.

"They came out of the blocks pretty quickly, but I thought we worked our way back into the game really well and got the goal we deserved just before halftime.

"Then we looked in control and once we got the second we really should've maintained that. It's a good point but i just feel we could have got more out of it."

Australia will now host Japan in Melbourne on Oct. 11 while Saudi Arabia face United Arab Emirates in Jeddah.