Neill described the introduction of striker Josh Kennedy as the turning point as Australia shook off a sluggish first half to down Uzbekistan 2-0 and all but book a place in next year's World Cup finals on Wednesday night.

The gangly Kennedy replaced Scott McDonald on the hour and six minutes later was celebrating his sixth international goal in 12 matches after heading in a Mark Bresciano cross to break a 0-0 deadlock at ANZ Stadium.

Harry Kewell's penalty seven minutes later secured all three points but there was no doubt in Neill's mind that Kennedy made all the difference.

"He's a great player, he's a great aerial threat for us and adds a different dimension to our game," Neill said of the 1.94m German-based forward.

"To have him come on as a impact player is fantastic for us. If you throw good quality balls in the box he's going to head them in."

Neill was critical of Australia's careless first-half performance, which drew a sharp rebuke from coach Pim Verbeek.

The Socceroos responded with an upbeat display after the interval, finishing all over the top of the leg-weary visitors.

"There was a little bit of anxiety in the first half and perhaps a mentality to go out and try too hard," Neill explained.

"We were a little bit sloppy in the first half and we got a decent kick up the bum at half-time and went out and executed the game we should have done in the first half.

"Their heads dropped and they started to feel tired, which they didn't at nil-nil, and the game was ours for the taking."

The Australians left ANZ Stadium hoping the Bahrain-Qatar match early Thursday morning ended in a draw.

That match would finish in a 1-0 victory for Bahrain, meaning the Socceroos will have to wait until June to gain the solitary point it needs to qualify for the World Cup.

Asked how it felt to be on the verge of consecutive World Cup appearances, Neill cautioned: "We're not there yet.

"But if it doesn't come tonight we've got three more games to get the draw that will take us to the World Cup, so it's all in our hands.

"We've got four wins out of five, we haven't conceded a goal and the points are on the board. You can't ask any more than that."

Kewell feels his side should be given more credit for going through the first five matches of the Asian World Cup qualifiers unbeaten.

"Everyone thinks these teams are easy - they're not. They can all play, they're all very strong, they're all very quick," he pointed out.

"People have got to realise we're not playing teams we used to play when we won 15, 16-nil. This is World Cup qualifying and these players can actually play the game."

On Wednesday night's performance, Kewell offered: "It was a good second 45 but it looked better because the first 45 was a little sloppy.

"We worked hard and had a bit of quality today. Mark Bresciano supplied the cross for the big man (Kennedy) and once we scored the goal it opened up."