Tim Cahill has climbed from the bench to deliver Australia a stunning smash-and-grab success over United Arab Emirates in their World Cup qualifier in Abu Dhabi.

Cahill's second-half volley, his 48th goal for the Socceroos, ensured a 1-0 win and maintains Australia's winning record in this final qualifying phase.

For more than an hour at Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium, Australia toiled but looked like coming up short in oppressive conditions.

World Cup qualifying standings Team Pl W D L Pts Australia 2 2 0 0 6 S Arabia 2 2 0 0 6 Japan 2 1 0 1 3 UAE 2 1 0 1 3 Iraq 2 0 0 2 0 Thailand 2 0 0 2 0

Cahill changed that within four minutes of his arrival, timing his run into the box to volley home Brad Smith's centimetre-perfect cross.

Anything short of a win would have been an injustice to Postecoglou's side.

In front of an energetic crowd of 40,893 - including injured captain Mile Jedinak - the Socceroos dominated from the get-go.

Robbie Kruse and Tom Rogic saw fierce first-half strikes saved, while Aaron Mooy menaced with both corner kicks and a direct free kick that was headed over.

At half-time the shots count was 8-1 in Australia's favour, with the home side kept to a third of possession.

Without a knockout punch from Australia, UAE remained in the contest.

Prodigiously-talented midfielder Omar Abdulrahman floated behind the front two, showing his ability to conjure something from nothing.

Twice Socceroo defenders were forced to make last-gasp clearances from Abdulrahman's chipped balls, with Trent Sainsbury and Smith stopping one-on-one chances.

After the break Australia's torment of the UAE goal continued.

Mooy unleashed a half-volley onto the bar during a spell of utter dominance, while at the other end, Ali Mabkhout spurned a mighty chance by volleying over from close range.

It would be a costly miss, with Cahill leaving his mark to put Australia on top of their qualifying group after two of 10 matches.

"It was my second touch! First one was off my chest. I want teams to be fearful of me when I come on. I've earned that respect over the last 10 years and I'm going to really push as hard as I can," he said.

Japan back on track, Saudi Arabia beats Iraq

Earlier, Saudi Arabia won 2-1 against Iraq with two late penalties from Nawaf Al Abed giving them the points.

Iraq, playing in Malaysia because of conflict at home, were 1-0 up with nine minutes to play before Abed buried spot-kicks in the 81st and 87th minutes.

Abed struck in similar fashion last week when his 84th-minute penalty consigned Thailand to a 1-0 defeat in the opening round of games.

Japan bounced back from an opening home defeat to the United Arab Emirates with a 2-0 defeat of Thailand in Bangkok, as Genki Haraguchi's first-half opener was followed by a Takuma Asano effort.

Asano, who was denied a clear goal in last Thursday's 2-1 defeat to the UAE when officials failed to see his attempt had crossed the line, squeezed his shot under goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan on 75 minutes.

AAP / AFP