10 men make the difference

Winning was critical for the Socceroos, playing a tough Oman opposition in front of an unforgiving away crowd.

Early blows in the form of a red card and a goal by Oman meant there were two options; give in or step up.

Australia played the only way they know how - tough and determined, and step up they did.

With a man and a goal down the Socceroos pulled together to respond with 75 minutes of herculean effort. No surrender.

In the end it was Luke Wilkshire and Brett Emerton who scored the crucial goals to make the difference.