Aussies beat S. Islands

The Australians finished 9-1 ahead on aggregate after winning the opening leg 7-0 in Sydney on Saturday to advance to a play off against the fifth-placed South American team in November.

Archie Thompson and Brett Emerton scored goals either side of halftime for Australia on Tuesday, while Henry Fa'Arodo scored for the Solomon Islands when he converted a controversial second half penalty.

With victory little more than a formality, Australia's new Dutch coach Guus Hiddink made five changes to the team that won in Sydney and made a raft of substitutions during a match which was played in hot and humid conditions.

Thompson gave the Australians the perfect start when he scored in the 17th minute, latching on to a pass from Vince Grella then lobbing the ball over the advancing goalkeeper Francis Aruwafu, to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Fears of a repeat of the avalanche of goals in Sydney failed to materialise as the Solomon Islands defended with renewed vigour then levelled four minutes into the second half when Lucas Neill fouled Fa'Arodo in the box.

Commins Menapi stepped up to take the initial spot kick but his shot was brilliantly saved by Zeljko Kalac, triggering a wild goalmouth scramble.

George Lui of the Solomon Islands was sent off by Singapore referee Maidin Chamsul for recklessly diving on top of Kalac in the ensuing chaos, before the official ordered the penalty be re-taken because the goalkeeper had come off his line.

Fa'Arodo made no mistake with the second attempt and his equaliser whipped the capacity crowd of 20,000 into a frenzy before Emerton silenced them 10 minutes later when he connected with a cross from Jason Culina to put Australia back in front and seal victory.

The Australians were overwhelming favourites to win the Oceania title but their true test will come in November when they play the fifth-placed South American team home and away.

Australia have won the Oceania title the last four times only to be beaten in playoffs by Scotland (1990), Argentina (1994), Iran (1998) and Uruguay (2002).

The only time they reached the World Cup finals was in 1974. Earlier this year, Australia announced they were ditching Oceania to join Asia in the hope of securing an easier path to the World Cup.