The Socceroos have secured a confidence-boosting 5-0 victory over Jamaica in their final outing prior to their FIFA World Cup play-off matches against South American opposition next month.

Australia made the perfect start to this Powerade Series match scoring in just the second minute through a superb long-range strike from Marco Bresciano at Craven Cottage in London.

The Socceroos doubled their lead midway through the first half with Melbourne Victory’s Archie Thompson finishing from the edge of the penalty area after being set-up by an inch perfect pass from Jason Culina.

There were second half goals – all from close range – for firstly captain Mark Viduka, then substitute John Aloisi and finally debutant Joel Griffiths who scored just 14 minutes after taking the field. Michael Thwaite also debuting for the Socceroos playing the full 90 minutes in central defence.

Australia will find out next month’s opponent on Thursday when the final round of South American qualifiers takes place. Only three nations remain in contention to be Australia’s opponent following this morning’s matches with Uruguay currently sitting in fifth place on 22 points followed by Colombia and Chile on 21 points. Thursday’s matches are Uruguay v Argentina in Montevideo, Chile v Ecuador in Santiago and Paraguay v Colombia in Asuncion.

Australia 5 (Marco Bresciano 2′, Archie Thompson 27′, Mark Viduka 47′, John Aloisi 59′, Joel Griffiths 84′)

Jamaica 0

Australia:

Zeljko Kalac (gk), Tony Vidmar (Josip Skoko 53′), Lucas Neill, Michael Thwaite, Scott Chipperfield, Mark Bresciano (Tim Cahill 79′), Brett Emerton (Vince Grella 70′), Luke Wilkshire (Ahmad Elrich 79′), Jason Culina, Archie Thompson (Joel Griffiths 70′), Mark Viduka (John Aloisi 57′).

Substitutes (unused): Ante Covic (gk), Stan Lazaridis, Jon McKain

Cautions: nil

Jamaica:

Shawn Sawyers (gk), Damian Stewart (Fabian Stewart 64′), Tyrone Marshall Claude Davis, Nicholy Finlayson (Desmond Breakenridge 53′), Jermaine Johnson (Damani Ralph 50′), Ricardo Gardner, Omar Daley, Robert Scarlett (Garfield Reid 53′), Ricardo Fuller (Jason Morrison 66′), Luton Shelton

Attendance: 6,570

Match Referee: Mike Riley

Assistant Referees: Peter Kirkup, Mike Tingey

Fourth Official: Andre Marriner

Uruguay, Colombia and Chile all remain in contention for November Play-off