Mathew Leckie charged forward and was bundled over in the box by Saudi Arabia midfielder Salman Al Faraj in the 70th minute but Uzbek referee Ravshan Irmatov waved it away.

A fourth goal could prove important in qualifying, with Japan, Saudi Arabia and Australia all currently locked on points with only goal difference separating them.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Saudi Arabia

“Unless you find a more obvious one than that one, it looked like a penalty to me,” Postecoglou said.

“It wasn’t given, so be it. In retrospect it’s a pretty clear penalty.”

The goal may have repercussions long-term but Postecoglou remained confident about his side’s chances of qualifying with matches against Japan (away) and Thailand (home) to come.

“I live my life very optimistic. Unlike some others, I’m a glass half kind of person,” he said.

“As I said, I let others run the commentary on what we’re supposed to be doing and where we’re supposed to be at.

“From my perspective the message to the group hasn’t changed, we want to be a certain type of team and play a certain type of way.

“We’ll continue down that path. There will be hiccups but if you stay committed to it, I think I’ve proven in my career, I win things, long may it continue.”

Postecoglou added he felt the Socceroos lacked composure and were nervous and scrappy in the first half but praised them for responding in the second 45.

“I thought obviously the first half we were a bit nervy. We started off well enough,” he said.

“We were a bit anxious and turned the ball over a bit too often.

“I thought second half we played well. I thought we really got on top of them, I thought we definitely should have had a penalty and had a couple of good chances after that.

“I thought our second half was very pleasing and very strong. I give the players a great deal of encouragement in terms of what we’re trying to build.”

Postecoglou also revealed the half-time substitution of Brad Smith was due to a tight hamstring, while he said Ryan McGowan was included despite arriving in camp on Tuesday night as Bailey Wright pulled up sore from their final training session on Wednesday.

PIC SPECIAL: Australia v Saudi Arabia