A tremendous performance by man-of-the-match Mark Bresciano helped Australia to a resounding 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in Sydney as Harry Kewell and Josh Kennedy both scored for the Socceroos.

An inspired substitution by Pim Verbeek put Australia's Socceroos on the cusp of a second straight World Cup appearance after a 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan at Stadium Australia.

Australia now need only one point from their three remaining matches against Qatar, Bahrain and Japan to book their place at South Africa 2010.
The Socceroos were struggling to get on top of a resolute Uzbek side when Verbeek brought on beanpole striker Josh Kennedy for Scott McDonald on the hour.
Six minutes later Kennedy rose gracefully to connect with a precise cross from man of the match Mark Bresciano to find the net with a firm header.
Four minutes later Harry Kewell made it two from the penalty spot to place the Australians in pole position to reach the finals in 2010.
Bahrain later beat Qatar 1-0 in another Group A match in Manama to crush the Socceroos' hopes of being the first team to qualify for the finals.
Verbeek said Uzbekistan had caused his side several problems in the first half but they could not handle his players' higher tempo after the break.
"In the first half Uzbekistan were too compact for us and we were too slow and could not find a free player," Verbeek said.
"In the second half we played faster and quicker and created more chances without allowing them any opportunities to get in and around our penalty box.
"I think we deserved the first goal and especially the second goal from Harry. I am very happy but of course I won't be 100 per cent pleased until we qualify for sure."
Verbeek said the reason he did not start Kennedy alongside McDonald was because he was not sure the Karlsruhe striker would last 90 minutes.
"The last time Josh played 90 minutes was in November. And as I was not sure if he would last the whole game. I preferred to start with Scotty, who was very sharp at training this week.
"So I had Josh and Timmy (Cahill) on the bench in case it was necessary to put pressure on the opposing team. I think it worked well."
Uzbekistan adapted themselves beautifully to the wet conditions and with captain Server Djeparov dictating matters in midfield with his crisp passing, the visitors saw plenty of ball in the first part of the game.
The Uzbeks could have scored twice in the first 10 minutes but Farhod Tadjiyev, who scored a hat-trick at the weekend against Qatar, let himself down with poor finishing.
First he miskicked the ball in front of goal then he screwed his shot wide of the far post after being splendidly put through by Djeparov.
Australia, backed by a strong 57,292 crowd, responded with an even better opportunity created by McDonald.
The little striker found Bresciano with a square pass in the box but the midfielder shot straight at goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov after making space for himself with a superb body feint that took him past Hayrulla Karimov.
The Australians started the second period with more urgency and the unflappable Uzbek defenders suddenly were rattled.
Amid hot Aussie pressure Jason Culina saw his rising shot turned to corner by Nesterov.
Verbeek brought in Kennedy for McDonald after 60 minutes as the Uzbeks began to show signs of fatigue.
In the 66th minute came Kennedy’s headed goal from an inch-perfect cross by Bresciano, who had one of his best games for Australia in recent times.
Four minutes Kewell made it two from a penalty after Richard Garcia was crudely upended by Karimov in the box.

SBS