WATCH: Socceroos suffer slim defeat to Saudi Arabia
Despite creating some solid chances, the Socceroos suffered a slim 1-0 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday morning (AEDT).
Graham Arnold made a host of changes from Thursday's clash with Japan, as Bruno Fornaroli and Nathaniel Atkinson earned starting debuts for Australia while Nick D'Agostino made his Socceroos debut in the second half.
After applying plenty of pressure in the first half, Martin Boyle thought he had netted his sixth goal in Green and Gold, but the Scottish-born-Australian was eventually ruled slightly offside in the build-up.
The hosts struck first through a penalty in the 64th minute as Salem Al-Dawsari sent Maty Ryan the wrong way from 12-yards to give the Green Falcons the lead.
Fornaroli and Atkinson both impressed on their international starting debuts for Australia, while D'Agostino put in a solid shift as he made his debut for the Socceroos in the final 45 minutes against Saudi Arabia in Jeddah.
As Arnold opted for a rejuvenated side against Saudi Arabia, the Socceroos looked to get on the front foot early against the Green Falcons at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
Pacey winger Awer Mabil had an early chance to put the Green and Gold ahead in Jeddah but the 26-year-old's shot fired agonisingly wide of Mohammed Al-Owais's net.
Boyle was the next to have an opportunity to put Australia ahead in Saudi Arabia when his strike from a tight angle rolled across the face of the Saudi Arabian goal.
Moments later, after having his first chance to take the lead in Jeddah, the 28-year-old was slipped in behind and this time rounded Mohammed Al-Owais to tap home. However, a lengthy VAR check at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium ruled out what would have been Boyle's sixth goal in Green and Gold.
Locked 0-0 at halftime, Arnold opted to bring on D'Agostino to provide further attacking threat for the Socceroos, but the first chance of the final 45 minutes fell to the Green Falcons' tall central midfielder Mohamed Kanno, whose header fell wide of Ryan's goal.
Australia had another chance to net the go-ahead goal as a marauding run from Mabil allowed the former Adelaide United starlet to cut inside on his right-foot and release a venomous strike, which stung the palms of Al-Owais.
Despite all of Australia's impressive attacking play in the first-half, James Jeggo was adjudged to have fouled a Saudi Arabian player in the box, which resulted in Salem Al-Dawsari netting from 12-yards to put the home side in front after 64 minutes.
Socceroos custodian Ryan stood strong late on to deny Saudi Arabia their second, as the full time whistle blew and attention turned toward's June's play-offs in Doha.
The Socceroos will next face the United Arab Emirates on June 7 for a spot in an all-important intercontinental playoff against either Chile, Peru or Columbia.
The match against the UAE will be broadcast live and free in Australia on Network 10 and simulcast on 10 Play.