The Socceroos have come from behind to beat Bahrain 3-1 in their first foray into Asian football competition.

Second half goals to striker Archie Thompson, acting skipper Josip Skoko, and Ahmad Elrich ensured an understrength Australian team opened its Asian Cup qualification campaign on a positive note after they had trailed 1-0 after a disjointed first half.

Skoko was the architect of the Socceroos' revival.

The veteran midfielder, by far the most experienced Australian on the pitch, set up Thompson's equaliser in the 52nd minute with a fine free kick - which Thompson happily headed home - and then put the Socceroos in front with a thumping 20-metre strike in the 79th.

Elrich secured Australia victory in the 87th minute from penalty spot after he copped a stary elbow from Bahrain defender Abdulla Marzooq in the penalty box.

Marzooq was red-carded for the indiscretion.

Australia was without the bulk of its European-based stars for the clash as the match did not fall on a FIFA-approved international date.

Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink was also absent because of his club commitments with PSV Eindhoven, leaving assistants Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens in charge.

Bahrain loomed as the most difficult assignment for the Socceroos in their 2007 Asian Cup qualifying campaign.

Ranked just four spots behind Australia at 52 in FIFA's world rankings, Bahrain narrowly missed out on a berth in the World Cup finals after losing its playoff 2-1 to Trinidad and Tobago last November.

The home side took the lead in the 36th minute when winger Ali Salmeen beat defender Jade North for pace down the left flank and fired a cross to striker Hussein Ali, who escaped the attention of centre back Jon McKain and then slipped a deft left-foot strike passed `keeper Ante Covic.

The match was the first of six Asian Cup qualifiers for the Socceroos, but their only qualifier before the World Cup in June.

Australia has also be drawn Kuwait and Lebanon in its group, with the top two teams qualifying for the Asian Cup finals, to be held in Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia in June next year.

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