World Cup: Australia forced to fight back for 2-2 draw with Oman

SYDNEY - Australia was forced to come from two goals down to keep their bid to reach a third successive World Cup finals just about on track with a 2-2 draw against Oman in an Asian qualifier at Sydney's Olympic stadium on Tuesday. The visitors stunned the 34,603 crowd by taking a 1-0 lead through Abdul Aziz Mubarak in the sixth minute and doubling it courtesy of a Mile Jedinak own goal four minutes after the break. Forward Tim Cahill cut the deficit with a trademark header on 51 minutes, however, and midfielder Brett Holman equalized with a 25-meter strike five minutes from time. The draw means Australia and Oman are locked together on six points, seven behind runaway Group B leaders Japan, one ahead of Iraq and two clear of Jordan, who meet the Japanese later on Tuesday. The top two qualify for Brazil in 2014. - Reuters