Australia took their place by defeating 10-man Nepal 3-0 in the third stage of the 2022 World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
After resounding victories over hosts Chinese Taipai and Kuwait, boss Graham Arnold once again made the changes at the Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, but it made little difference to the outcome.
The evening’s captain Mathew Leckie gave the Socceroos an early lead and Fran Karacic’s first international goal had doubled the lead by the time Rohit Chand was sent off before halftime for a professional foul on Martin Boyle.
Boyle completed the scoring, taking his seventh in a row to seal the long-running Group B lead.
Leakey needed only six minutes to break, as he met left-back Aziz Behich’s cross with a powerful header.
Karasic had a lively moment in the 38th minute after Leakey defeated a desperate shot from Suman Ariel and selected Brescia at right-back to score.
Boyle looked set for personal disappointment as he took a free header early in the second half before going into the side nets. But a great curling center from Hibernian teammate Jackson Irvine in the 57th minute enabled the 28-year-old to get in from close range.
