Australia were left on the brink of securing their place at next year's World Cup finals in South Africa after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 at the Olympic stadium on Wednesday.

Substitute Josh Kennedy broke the deadlock after 66

minutes with a header before forward Harry Kewell sealed the

win in the 73rd with a penalty.

Australia, who ended a 32-year drought by qualifying as

the last team for the 2006 finals, were tantalisingly close to

becoming the first country to join the host nation at the 2010

World Cup.

Yet to concede a single goal after five matches in the

fourth round of Asian qualifiers, Australia need to collect

just one more point from their remaining three matches in June

to secure their place at the finals.

A draw between Bahrain and Qatar in Manama would have sent

the Socceroos through. Bahrain won the match 1-0, meaning

Australia will have to wait until their next game in Qatar on

June 6 to advance.

Australia currently lead the group with 13 points from

Japan 11, with Bahrain on seven and Uzbekistan and Qatar at the

foot of the table on four each.

"There was a lot of pressure on today's game because we

knew we had to win the game," said Australia captain Lucas Neill.

"It was there for us to win but we've sent a statement out

to the rest of the group now and possibly the world that we

might be the first team to qualify for the World Cup."

Both teams squandered chances to find the net in a

scoreless first half but the Australians began to assert their

control after the break with Uzbekistan starting to show signs

of fatigue.

Kennedy opened the scoring midway through the second half

when he connected with a perfectly-timed cross from Mark

Bresciano.

Kewell put the result beyond doubt when he converted from

the spot after a clumsy challenge by Hayrulla Karimov on

Richard Garcia.

Uzbekistan looked to have grabbed a consolation goal in

stoppage time when Anvarjon Soliev found the back of the net

only to have the goal disallowed for offside.

Uzbekistan, who have four points from six matches, still

have a chance of finishing third in the group to reach a

playoff.

"The first two places have gone," Uzbek coach Mirdjalal

Kasimov said. "We have to keep our motivation up to keep

struggling for World Cup qualification."