SYDNEY — Mile Sterjovski and David Carney scored second-half goals as Australia beat Bahrain 2-0 in a World Cup qualifier Wednesday, denying the visitors their first chance at securing a playoff spot for 2010.

An understrength Australia made seven changes to the team which four days earlier secured a place at next year's World Cup with a scoreless draw at Qatar.

Bahrain must now avoid defeat at home in its final match against Uzbekistan next Wednesday if it is to keep third place in the group.

The third-place teams in both Asian qualifying groups will play off, with the winner advancing to a further playoff against Oceania champion New Zealand for a spot at the World Cup.

"We created enough chances to score more than two goals. Just not sharp enough in a few moments to finish it off," Australia coach Pim Verbeek said. "To win 2-0, we did everything we had to do."

Australia had the best chance in the first half, but unmarked Celtic striker Scott McDonald rushed his right-foot shot from 16 yards and fired over the cross bar in the 25th minute.

Sterjovski's header to Carney's floating cross in the 38th was easily saved by Bahrain goalkeeper Sayed Jaffer, who also stopped a free kick from Luke Wilkshire in stoppage time.

Sterjovski put the Socceroos ahead in the 55th after winger Harry Kewell got behind the defense on the left and passed into the area. Bahraini defender Fouzi Aaish couldn't control the ball and Sterjovski swooped with an angled left-foot shot past Jaffer.

Jasim Al Mazood found the back of the net in the 61st but was pulled back for offside, denying Bahrain the equalizer.

Kewell missed a chance to put the Australians further ahead when his header hit the post in the 77th minute after Jade North headed across the face of goal.

But Carney sealed the result in the 89th when he followed up on a bicycle kick from Jason Culina that hit the post and he pushed the rebound into an open goal with the sole of his boot.

Kewell said Bahrain defended well in the middle in the first half and made it difficult to score.

"We had to break them down, had to take our time but eventually got the goal we needed," Kewell said. "All the boys are feeling a bit tired, but this is where it counts."

Unbeaten Australia plays Japan — which has also already booked a spot at the World Cup — in Melbourne next Wednesday in the last match of the round, which will determine the Group A winner.

Verbeek could have a stronger lineup available next week, with Everton midfielder Tim Cahill expected to recover from muscle soreness which sidelined him on Wednesday and West Ham defender Lucas Neill available after a match off for collecting two yellow cards in earlier qualifiers.

Verbeek said the pressure was off now that both teams had qualified for South Africa 2010, and he was expecting an entertaining match against Japan.

"Definitely we want to be No. 1 in the group," he said. "It'll be a fantastic game — let's win that one also."