The Saudis rocked the home side but Australia emerged stronger Asian heavyweights Saudi Arabia saw their hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup ended on Wednesday as they crashed to a 4-2 defeat to an Australian side featuring UAE-based stars Lucas Neill and Mark Bresciano.
Saudi entered the game in second place in Group D, but their loss, combined with Oman’s 2-0 win over Thailand, meant Frank Rijkaard\'s men dropped to third while the Omanis, coached by former Lyon boss Paul Le Guen, progressed to the next round.
Australia were certain to progress to the final stage of qualifying top of their group, regardless of the result of the clash at Melbourne\'s AAMI Park. But they looked in danger of suffering their first loss on home soil in three years when they trailed 2-1 at the interval.
But the game was turned on its head in the 72nd minute as the home side scored three goals in as many minutes to end Saudi Arabia\'s hopes of reaching the finals for the first time since 2006.
Striker Alex Brosque scored a double for the hosts, including a late equaliser in the first-half when Bresciano, playing his first game for the Socceroos since the 2010 World Cup, provided the assist.
That goal had cancelled out Saudi\'s opener from Salem Mohammed Aldawsari in the 19th minute, but the Socceroos were still to find themselves behind at the break as Nassir Ali Alshamrani received a cross unmarked in the penalty area and fired home in first-half stoppage time.
Holger Osieck\'s men were a different side in the second period though with Brosque at the heart of much of their attacking thrust, setting up former Leeds and Liverpool winer Harry Kewell for the equaliser before heading his side in front from Brett Emerton\'s cross.
The former Blackburn wideman then got in on the act himself, with Al Nasr midfielder Bresciano once again the architect, prizing open the Saudi defence, although there was a touch of fortune as defender\'s attempted clearance ricocheted off the Australian\'s boot and into the net.
Meanwhile, Al Jazira defender Neill was denied his maiden international goal, on this his 80th appearance for his country, by the linesman\'s flag, despite replays appearing to show the veteran centre-back was in fact onside.
Afterwards, former Barcelona boss Rijkaard could not hide his disappointment after failing to guide Saudi Arabia to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, but insists he remains committed to the job.
\"It\'s a sad moment for Saudi football, if I continue working here I will work really hard,\" said the Dutchman. \"They [his players] feel really sad of course. It\'s a big blow. We were full of good hopes and wanted to fight for our changes, we did, but we didn\'t succeed.\"