Pim Verbeek finally admitted he had underplayed the team of crocks that arrived in Australia but were nursed back to health by the Socceroos backroom staff.

Carl Valeri, Tim Cahill, Michael Beauchamp, and Mark Bresciano all arrived with injury problems - but careful physio work had them all match fit in time for the kick-off against Uzbekistan, although Cahill was rested as he wasn't needed in the end.

"I think the medical staff did a great job because it was more difficult than I said yesterday at the press conference," revealed Verbeek after the match.

"We had many injured players when they came in. Bresciano played a great game but he couldn't even walk when he arrived here."

The coach relished proving the critics wrong with an entertaining second half where Australia dominated and were rewarded with goals from Josh Kennedy and Harry Kewell.

But he admitted the first half had been a worry - and the travel-weary Uzbeks had tired enough to allow the Socceroos to take control.

"Uzbekistan came with a lot of confidence from their result on Saturday, but I think in the second half we played faster, quicker with a higher ball speed that created more chances," said Verbeek.

"We didn't give them any chances to get in or around our penalty box. I think we deserved our first goal and especially our second goal. I'm very pleased.

"I'm very proud of the players. The players were patient and didn't go out of organisation, creating chances. They scored a great goal from Josh, and a great penalty. So I'm very happy."

The key to the victory came from a second half rethink about tactics in the face of a stout Uzbekitan midfield and defence.

"Halftime we said we had to do it differently - more wides, more ball pressure, dont; give them any chances and our chances will come because they will be tired. We know that feeling also," said Verbeek.

"I don't think they were playing the game, I think they were really tired. They had a 15 hour flight then playing a heavy field so they were really tired."

He added: "For whetever reason - nerves, they know how much is at stake, everyone expects five goals... so that was a little bit difficult to get over that point.

"But again at half-time, I said a few words, the boys said a few words to each other - and the second half was much better."

He defended his decision to swap striker Scott McDonald for Josh Kennedy instead of switching to a 4-4-2 and playing both, but admitted the idea had been on his mind.

"I thought McDonald had two great balls in the first half," he said. "I was thinking of playing him with Josh in the second half with two strikers.

"But I have to be honest, I thought the Uzbek midfield was good so I thought it was better to keep him fresh for his club."

He also revealed why Kennedy only made a match-winning cameo off the bench instead of making the starting line-up.

"The last time Josh played 90 minutes was November so I couldn't let him play for 90 minutes," said Verbeek.

"I thought it was better to start with Scott who was very sharp in training this week and I had Josh and Timmy on the bench in case it necessary to put more pressure on Uzbekistan.

"I thought it worked well. I thought so."