Kennedy brace seals win over Saudis

Australia moved top of Group D in their AFC World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

Australia moved top of Group D in their AFC World Cup qualifying campaign with a 3-1 victory over Saudi Arabia at the Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium in Dammam.

Josh Kennedy scored either side of half-time to give the Qantas Socceroos a 2-0 lead, before the hosts found a reply through Nasser Al Shamrani.

But Luke Wilkshire converted a late penalty to seal the three points and make it two wins from as many games for the Qantas Socceroos.

Holger Osieck made three changes from the Australian side that struggled past Thailand on Friday, with Sasa Ognenovski, Michael Zullo and Mile Jedinak replacing Matthew Spiranovic, Tim Cahill and Neil Kilkenny.

Zullo was the most impressive of the newcomers, with the FC Utrecht full-back going a long way to cementing his spot in the Qantas Socceroos' XI.

Osieck's squad selection was validated after 40 minutes when Australia took the lead.

Wilkshire's cross from the right found the head of Kennedy, who rose above defender Osama Hawsawi and directed his header past the diving Hassan Al Otaibi in the Saudi goal for a deserved opener.

Kennedy secured his brace following an Al Otaibi error early in the second half.

The goalkeeper's short pass was cut off by Brett Holman, who set up Nagoya Grampus striker Kennedy for a second goal on 56 minutes.

Zullo undid some of his hard work when he conceded a 65th-minute penalty for a foul on Naif Hazazi.

Goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer kept out Al Shamrani's first attempt from the spot, guessing correctly to the right, but the striker followed through to pull a goal back for the hosts.

But the Qantas Socceroos were handed the ideal chance to reply when Japanese referee Yuichi Nishimura pointed to the spot once more after Hamad Al Montashari fouled Kennedy following an Australian corner.

Wilkshire fired home a powerful penalty in the 77th minute to seal the three points.

Earlier, the visitors handled the hot and humid conditions with relative ease in the opening 45 minutes, with the home side's best chance on goal coming off the boot of Australian midfielder Carl Valeri, who almost conceded an own goal.

Luckily for Valeri, Schwarzer was on hand to clear the danger in what was one of very few involvements for the custodian early as the Australians manipulated possession for the most part.

Australia 3 (Kennedy 40', 56', Wilkshire 77' (pen)) Saudi Arabia 1 (Al Shamrani 65' (pen))