MARK Viduka and his Australia team-mates were spared early embarrassment in the Asian Cup as Everton's Tim Cahill snatched a stoppage time equaliser against unfancied Oman.

And it was another Premiership player, Boro's Mark Schwarzer, who kept the Aussies in the game with a string of fine stops to prevent Oman adding to their 32nd minute opener through Badar Mubarak.

Viduka, wearing the captain's armband, had few chances to open his tournament account as the Socceroos struggled in the humidity of Bangkok.

But it was Cahill who rifled home from inside the area deep into injury time to grab a point for Graham Arnold's side.

Next up for Australia is Iraq on Friday before their final group game against Thailand on Monday.