'Not good enough': Socceroos suffer in brutal World Cup drama
Australia has conceded a last-moment goal against Oman to leave their chances for a World Cup automatic spot fleeting.
The Socceroos looked like securing a vital three-points at 2-1 with a few moments left, before an 89th minute penalty from Abdullah Fawaz shattered Australia's hopes.
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Australia's draw leaves the nation in a precarious position for World Cup qualification.
Graham Arnold's men now sit third in the group.
Japan inflicted group leader Saudi Arabia's first defeat of the campaign earlier on Tuesday in Saitama.
They are three-points behind second-placed Japan and only the top two nations from Group A and B earn automatic qualification.
Third place will enter into two sudden-death knockout matches, the second against South American opposition.
And on the Socceroos' recent performances this could be a stretch too far.
Socceroos lament Oman draw
The Socceroos twice led through Jamie Maclaren and Aaron Mooy in Muscat, but were pegged back by Fawaz's double strike.
"Very disappointing. We came here, we prepared well and at the end of the day it's not good enough to take something away from the game," Socceroos captain Mat Ryan told Network 10.
"It's not the first time it's happened this campaign so it's very disappointing on that aspect."
Australia went into the match without Riley McGree after the attacking midfielder tested positive to Covid-19 but made a near-perfect start.
After Trent Sainsbury's early header was scratched for offside, the Socceroos hit the front in the ninth-minute when Martin Boyle won a penalty.
The Scottish-born winger brought down a Jackson Irvine ball brilliantly before being felled by the Omani goalkeeper with Maclaren stepping up for his second goal in a week for the national team.
Oman, who were missing several players due to a Covid-19 outbreak in their squad, came out firing in the second-half and equalised in the 54th minute through a stunning strike from Fawaz.
The midfielder had time on the edge of the box to fire a right-foot stunner into the top corner which gave Ryan no chance.
Australia pushed forward in response and appeared to have claimed a vital win when Mooy swept home his first goal in over two years for the Socceroos in the 79th minute.
Jubiliation turned to heartbreak however when Fran Karacic was penalised for a clumsy challenge on Omani substitute Muhsen Al-Ghassani. Fawaz stepped up to beat Ryan from the penalty spot.
Australia's third draw of the campaign in eight matches has left no margin for error heading into the last two matches against Japan and the Saudis.
with AAP
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