Wright helps Australia to the brink

The Socceroos made hard work of it in Melbourne, requiring Matthew Leckie's 86th-minute effort to secure all three points.

Tomi Juric had originaly given the home side the lead in the 69th minute, but Pokkhao Anan levelled the game soon after.

Wright was booked after 38 minutes and substituted just after Juric's opener.

Australia must now hope that Saudi Arabia fail to beat Japan later today (6.30pm UK time) to book an automatic place at next summer's tournament in Russia.

Victory for the Saudis would mean the Aussies playing two sets of two-legged play-offs to qualify.