A week out from Australia's opening group B match against India, Graham Arnold's charges took the lead via an own goal from Amine Benaddi in the 35th minute before Mitch Duke added another in the 61st minute.
Winger Craig Goodwin had a hand in both goals in Saturday's (Sunday AEDT) friendly at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
FT | Goals on either side of the break enough to seal a 2-0 friendly win ahead of our — Subway Socceroos (@Socceroos) #AsianCup2023 campaign.#BHRvAUS #Socceroos #DifferentBreed pic.twitter.com/xF8lA3iCsIJanuary 6, 2024
The difficult nature of the victory, as Australia dominated possession but had just seven shots and struggled to create clear-cut chances, offered little relief over concerns that they may find it hard to break down deep-lying defences in Qatar.
With skipper and first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan (cheekbone) sidelined, Arnold opted for young Adelaide United shotstopper Joe Gauci over Western Sydney's Lawrence Thomas in goal.
Jackson Irvine was captain in Ryan's absence.
On debut, Gethin Jones started at right-back and was solid while Sammy Silvera showed some flashes in his first start on the wing.
Arnold had stressed the game was an opportunity for players like out-of-season Duke to gain valuable match fitness.
Pleasingly, midfielder Riley McGree returned from injury as a second-half substitute, while the Socceroos avoided any new fitness concerns.
As expected, Bahrain sat deep - and it largely worked.
Despite having 62 per cent of first-half possession, Australia could only manufacture two shots to Bahrain's three.
Australia's first good chance arrived in the 20th minute when Connor Metcalfe shot straight at Bahrain goalkeeper Ebrahim Lutfalla.
Goodwin should have given Australia the lead just after the half-hour when he cut onto his right foot but sprayed wide.
The Socceroos struck four minutes later.
Goodwin's tantalising ball across the six-yard box proved too dangerous for Benaddi to ignore, but he turned his attempted clearance into his own net.
In the 44th minute, Duke attempted to bicycle-kick home an awkward bouncing ball but instead powered it into the ground and off target.
Bahrain were arguably unlucky when they unsuccessfully appealed for a penalty after the ball hit Aiden O'Neill's arm in the 59th minute, and there was no VAR to overturn the referee's decision.
Two minutes later, Australia doubled their lead.
Jones burst forward then passed back to O'Neill, who launched the ball towards the back post.
Goodwin headed the ball across goal for a diving Duke to nod home.
McGree returned in the 63rd minute and Kye Rowles headed his first corner over the bar barely two minutes later.
Shortly after, Gauci was called into action to make a sharp save at his near post to deny Abdulla Al Khalasi.
The Socceroos closed the game out from there.
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