Both teams rang in the changes from Thursday’s Matchday Five, with defender Sayed Baqer among the five new faces in Bahrain’s starting lineup while Australia had six, with Craig Goodwin returning from suspension.

It was Baqer’s unfortunate involvement which gifted Australia the lead in the first minute, a weak back pass to Ebrahim Lutfalla was pounced on by Kusini Yengi who placed his shot under the Bahrain goalkeeper.

In a half of limited chances, Australia could have doubled their advantage in the 24th minute when Riley McGree found Yengi in the centre of the box but Lutfalla was quickly off his line to block the Portsmouth FC forward’s attempt.

To make matters worse for the home side in a first half where they struggled to put Australia’s defence under any pressure, midfielder Ali Haram was forced off just before half-time following a knee injury with Mahdi Humaidan sent on.

Bahrain were much better after the break but only managed to register their first shot on target on the hour mark through Komail Al Aswad.

In fact, it was Australia who nearly added to their advantage a minute later when Yengi’s chested effort from a cross bounced off the post.

Out of nothing, Bahrain found the equaliser in the 75th minute when Abduljabar crashed home a long range strike from just inside Australia’s half that caught Mathew Ryan out.

The Bahrain forward then struck again two minutes later, reacting quickest to slam home a rebound after Hayden Matthews had inadvertently headed the ball against his own post.

Australia, however, pushed hard for the equaliser with Yengi turning the ball home from close range in added on time. 

Bahrain will meet Japan next in March while Australia will host Indonesia.