The Celtic frontman played the first hour of Australia's 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Uzbekistan on Wednesday night, making way for 1.94m tall Josh Kennedy with the game still locked at 0-0.

The substitution reaped immediate benefits, Kennedy latching onto Mark Bresciano's cross to open the scoring in the 66th minute.

A Harry Kewell penalty seven minutes sealed Australia's victory, leaving them needing one point from three games to qualify for South Africa 2010.

According to McDonald, who is yet to score in 11 international appearances, qualification comes before any personal ambition.

"You're always disappointed when you come off and the game is still in the balance," he said.

"As a striker that is always the case - I don't like getting taken off at any time - but it's a team game and team's all that matters.

"I'm just delighted we got the win and we're one step closer to a World Cup, which is where I want to be."

The diminutive McDonald was employed as a lone striker and struggled to break free of the disciplined Uzbek defence.

He supplied a lovely ball at the 15-minute mark for Bresciano, who should have scored from point-blank range.

It was always going to be hard for McDonald to make an impact without a partner up front, but coach Pim Verbeek was happy with the Scotland-based striker's contribution.

"I think he gave two great balls in the first half. The one he gave to Bresciano, that's what a striker has to do, bring others into a scoring position," Verbeek pointed out.

"I was thinking of having him play with Josh, with two strikers."

"But I have to be honest, the midfield of Uzbekistan was good, so it was better to start with Josh deep."

McDonald said of the Australians' performance: "Everyone was saying at half-time that we had to raise the tempo a little bit and move the ball quicker and get in their faces.

"They tired but the way we came out in the second half made them feel even more tired. The goal was coming and the big man (Kennedy) comes on and does the business."