Saudi Arabia dampened Australia's homecoming with a 0-0 draw Thursday in a top-of-the-table World Cup qualifying clash in Sydney -- the Socceroos' first home game in more than two years.
At the halfway stage of this final round of qualifying for next year's World Cup, Saudi Arabia continue to set the pace in Group B with 13 points. Australia are clinging to second with 10.
Japan are third but now just a point behind the Socceroos after a 1-0 victory at basement side Vietnam thanks to Junya Ito's goal.
Also in Group B, Oman rallied to hold China 1-1, a result that practically put both teams out of contention.
Only the top two are guaranteed a ticket to the World Cup, with the team in third going into a playoff.
