Aussies defeat Uzbekistan in World Cup qualifier

Australia are on the verge of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals after a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their Asian group qualifier here on Wednesday.

The Australians, on top of their group with 13 points, could become the first team to qualify for South Africa if Bahrain and Qatar, both on four points, draw their match in Manama later Wednesday.

Australia’s goals were a long time coming after a flat first half where the Uzbeks looked the more dangerous on the counter-attack and through the dangerous free-kicks of skipper Server Djeparov.

But goals from substitute striker Josh Kennedy and a penalty from Harry Kewell inside the final 25 minutes kept Australia unbeaten after five games, without conceding a goal.

The Socceroos have three qualifiers remaining in June against Qatar in Doha, and home games against Bahrain and Japan.

The Uzbeks faded in the second half as they felt the effects of their long flight and short preparation after last Saturday’s 4-0 home win over Qatar to revive their qualification hopes.

They almost had a dream start when striker Farhod Tadjivev, who scored a hattrick in their win over Qatar, sprinted onto a through ball in the ninth minute, but his shot went across Mark Schwarzer and just wide of the far post.

But Australia had an even better scoring chance six minutes later when Mark Bresciano was put on goal by Scott McDonald only to shoot straight at goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov to waste a glorious opportunity.

The Australians had little else to show for their slow buildups and lone striker McDonald was often isolated by the Uzbek defence.

Australia continued to be frustrated in the second half with Jason Culina having a stinging long-range volley tipped over the bar by Djeparov on the hour.

Coach Pim Verbeek reacted by bringing on giant striker Kennedy for McDonald, who again failed to break his international goal drought.

The breakthrough came for Australia six minutes after Kennedy’s introduction off the subs’ bench as the towering Karlsruhe striker headed home a Bresciano cross from the right.

It was Kennedy’s sixth goal in 12 appearances for his country.

The match swung decisively towards the home side when Hull City’s Richard Garica was brought down in the box by defender Hayrulla Karimov and UAE referee Ali Hamad Albadwawi pointed to the penalty spot.

Galatasaray’s Harry Kewell made it 2-0 at 73 minutes and was substituted soon after by Brett Holman to a roar from the 57,292 home crowd.

It was Kewell’s 13th goal in 39 internationals.

Uzbekistan had a great chance deep in injury time to score but substitute Anvarjon Soliev’s goal was disallowed for offside after Schwarzer had made a great reflex save from Djeparov’s shot.