A hard-fought and frustrating 2-0 friendly win over Bahrain was the "perfect" tune-up for the Socceroos' Asian Cup campaign, according to coach Graham Arnold.

A week out from Australia's opening group B match against India, Arnold's charges took the lead via an own goal from Amine Benaddi in the 35th minute, before Mitch Duke added another in the 61st minute.

Winger Craig Goodwin had a hand in both goals in Sunday's AEDT friendly at the Baniyas Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Socceroos dominated possession but had just seven shots and struggled to create clear-cut chances.

But the win offered an insight into some of the similarly deep-lying defences they could face in Qatar.

Arnold was not overly concerned with the Socceroos' performance, instead relishing the testing friendly.

"It was a great hit-out," Arnold said.

"It was quite a physical game and obviously playing against these type of nations, how they sit back … as much as you can do presentations and train it and get ready for it, it's always great to play against opposition that play that way.

"So it was a perfect, perfect game that we could have had leading into the Asian Cup."

Goodwin noted the Socceroos could yet "be a bit tidier in possession" but otherwise echoed Arnold's sentiments.

"It's probably similar to some of the games that we'll encounter at this Asian Cup," he said.

"So it's going be a tough competition but we have the aspirations to go very deep into the competition.

"So it's important for us to get the minutes, to get used to playing together again, and having that mentality of being ruthless."

With skipper and first-choice goalkeeper Mat Ryan (cheekbone) sidelined, Arnold opted for Adelaide United's Joe Gauci over Western Sydney Wanderers' Lawrence Thomas in goal.

Jackson Irvine was captain in Ryan's absence.

AAP