Summary Australia and Oman improved to six points in Group B and were seven points behind Japan.
SYDNEY (AP) - Brett Holman s 85th-minute equalizer helped Australia save a 2-2 draw against Oman on Tuesday, and narrowly avoid a shocking upset in an Asian qualifier for the 2014 World Cup.
Holman s 25-yard strike capped a remarkable rally, after Australia had fallen 2-0 behind to Omani forward Abdul Mubarak s early strike and an own goal by Mile Jedinak just after half time.
Tim Cahill again proved to be Australia s talisman with a powerful headed goal in the 51st to keep the hosts in the contest, but a string of fine saves by Oman s Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi kept the Socceroos from finding the winner.
Australia and Oman improved to six points in Group B and were seven points behind runaway leader Japan, which was playing away to Jordan (four points) later Tuesday.
Oman coach Paul Le Guen said his team proved it was becoming more competitive against the stronger regional rivals.
Australia was stunned in the sixth minute when Abdul Mubarak found space behind Michael Thwaite and cleverly slid the ball through the legs of goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from a tight angle.
The early goal set the tone for the first half, with the 105th-ranked Oman defending deeply, denying Australia space and time in attack.
The Australians struggled for creativity and took 37 minutes to register a shot on target, with Aston Villa midfielder Holman s header easily saved by Al Habsi.
The frustration was most clearly evident from Australia coach Holger Oseick, a frequent visitor to the edge of his technical zone as he berated his seemingly lethargic team.
Oseick said Oman played the way he d expected and the Australians didn t seize any momentum.
Halftime was greeted with a chorus of boos from the crowd of 34,603 at Stadium Australia, which only got louder when the second half started with defender Jedinak deflecting Omani Raed Ibrahim s 49th-minute cross past Schwarzer.
The shock of conceding a second goal immediately spurred Australia, with Cahill s powerful header from Luke Wilkshire s corner easily beating Al Habsi.
It was Cahill 27th international goal and he now sits two goals behind Damien Mori as Australia s highest goalscorer.
Al Habsi then produced two outstanding reflex saves within a minute to deny Alex Brosque and Cahill before Wilkshire s shot deflected off Mohamed Saleh, onto the crossbar and then the post and away to safety.
Australia maintained the pressure on the Oman defense by bringing on attacking midfielder Mark Bresciano and striker Archie Thompson, but it was Cahill who again went close to equalizing when his 74th-minute header was spectacularly saved by Al Habsi diving to his left.
