The Socceroos have had to fight hard for a 3-2 international friendly win over Saudi Arabia at Craven Cottage in London.

The Australians led 2-0 after just six minutes but then struggled to add to their tally as the Saudi Arabians pushed on in the second half.

Tim Cahill got the Socceroos off to a great start in the third minute, when he scrambled the ball home in the goalmouth after Massimo Luongo’s shot was blocked.

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Three minutes later it was 2-0, as Mile Jedinak scored a Cahill-like header from a cross from the left.

It seemed like a big win was on, with Saudi Arabia’s defence at sixes and sevens, but the Socceroos could not find the right pass or the killer finish.

It remained 2-0 at half-time, but the Saudis started to come into things as the game wore on, and after a couple of chances they won a penalty in the 71st minute when goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak came out and brought down Hassan Muath.

The referee yellow-carded Langerak and Muath converted the penalty to make it 2-1.

Australia’s defence came under increasing pressure, but in the 77th minute the Socceroos restored their two-goal lead, when Bailey Wright punished some more terrible Saudi defending, crashing a shot home from close range to score on debut.

That was not the end of the scoring, however, as Taiseer Al Jassam crept in at the back post to find the net with just six minutes left, setting up a tense finale, but the Australians held out for the win.

Swindon Town midfielder Massimo Luongo was the standout for the Socceroos.

The win ends a five-match losing streak for the Australians, including last Friday’s 2-0 defeat against Belgium.