Mile Jedinak scored his first international goal in the draw against South Korea on Friday and got his second against Bahrain with a half-volley in the 37th minute.
Bahrain, needing a win to stay in the tournament, kept Australia on the back foot for most of the second half in driving rain at the Al-Sadd Stadium but couldn't get past Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
“It was a tough game,” Australia coach Holger Osieck said. “Bahrain showed a strong performance and at times gave us a really hard time. We had to fight until the end of the match.” Australia won Group C on goal difference ahead of South Korea and avoided a meeting with three-time champion Iran.
The Australians could face Iraq, North Korea or the United Arab Emirates in Saturday's first quarterfinal match.
“We are top of the group, which is positive for the next games,” Osieck said.
In the quarterfinals, Australia will be without experienced midfielder Brett Emerton, who picked up his second yellow card of the tournament against Bahrain. Tim Cahill may also be miss the match after picking up a thigh injury late on.
Unlike South Korea, Australia was up against a side still with a chance of reaching the quarterfinals, and it showed in a closely fought match that ended with Schwarzer named as man of the match.
“We did the best we could and we actually played better than in the last two matches,” Bahrain coach Salman Shareeda said. “Australia is a strong, experienced team, and I am satisfied with what we've achieved, especially given that we have only trained together for two months for this tournament.” Cahill went close to opening the scoring in the second minute when he won a 50-50 challenge before collecting a return pass from Emerton and sending a shot just wide.
But Bahrain threatened with some neat interchanges, and after picking up a clever pass from Abdulla Fatadi, Ismaeel Abdulatif almost added to the four goals he scored against India but smacked the outside of the post with an angled shot in the 31st.
A minute later, Brett Holman squared for Harry Kewell, who was denied by goalkeeper Mahmood Mansoor.
Cahill might have made it 2-0 early in the second half, but he headed wide after Kewell had beaten the offside trap, skipped past the keeper and crossed for the Everton midfielder.
Bahrain continued to make it uncomfortable for Australia with its main threat provided by the lively Abdulatif.
Schwarzer made diving saves from Abdulatif and Fatadi to keep his side in front.
Schwarzer again came to his side's rescue in the 67th, this time keeping the ball out with his feet after a cross found Abdulatif in space at the far post.
As full time approached, Bahrain's attacks finally petered out, and Australia saw out a valuable win.
