The Australian press Thursday castigated the Socceroos for their `barely deserved` win over Bahrain to put them on the cusp of qualification for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Group leaders Australia pulled off a last-gasp 1-0 victory with the winner coming three minutes into injury time, and against the run of play, from Palermo midfielder Mark Bresciano.

With their third straight victory, Australia consolidated their position at the top of Asia`s Group A with nine points, while Bahrain are virtually out of the running with one point from three matches.

`Australia played without structure, intelligence or style and a goal in injury time from Mark Bresciano was grand larceny in stealing the points,` The Daily Telegraph said.

`From the off there was a lack of belief that suffused the entire team.

`(Coach) Pim Verbeek has some harsh questions to ask of his highly-paid stars, even allowing for Bresciano`s goal which came when he chased down a loose clearance and smashed the ball home.`

The Telegraph said it was Verbeek`s job to ensure there was no repeat of his team`s display in the next World Cup outing against Japan in Tokyo in February.

The Melbourne Age said Bahrain won the match everywhere except on the scoreboard.

`Bresciano struck with a goal that shattered Bahraini hearts and their desperate dreams of a World Cup place,` it said.

`It was terrible luck for Milan Macala`s Bahrain side, who had controlled both halves but had not been able to beat an in-form goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, who saved his team on numerous occasions.`

Verbeek said Australia`s victory was a lucky result.

`I cannot say that I`m not happy with the three points, because I am,` Verbeek said.

`Especially because we didn`t deserve to have three points today.

`But come February, we will need to play much better when we face Japan, because that will be a difficult match also.`