“We need to focus on our job, get that job done, because it’s important. It’s one game at a time, it’s a clean sheet of paper, phase two is over and phase three is beginning," said Arnold. “Everyone starts on zero points, zero goals for and against, and it all starts from now.”

Craig Goodwin returns to the squad after missing out on matches in June, likewise Sam Silvera .while Grasshopper Zurich winger Awer Mabil joins his first Socceroos squad in almost a year.

Bahrain reached this stage of qualification after finishing second in Group H behind United Arab Emirates in the second round, and this will be the fourth time that they will be featuring in the AFC Asian Qualifiers.

This is the first meeting between Bahrain and Australia since 2011 with the West Asian side having lost all five previous encounters but head coach Dragan Talajic isn’t perturbed as he seeks to make a perfect start in Group C.

“We’ve prepared a long time for this first game and this is the start of the World Cup qualification so no question, we will try to win the game,” said Talajic

Venue: Robina Stadium (Gold Coast)

Kick-off: 20:10 (UTC+10)