Australia has begun its second stage of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in the best possible fashion with a 1-0 win over Uzbekistan in Tashkent.
The Socceroos ended Uzbekistan's imposing home run of 18 World Cup qualifiers without defeat thanks to a 26th-minute header from Scott Chipperfield, who netted his first Australian goal since 2005.
The win is a massive boost for Australia's hopes of qualification from Group A, as it moves three points clear of Uzbekistan with a game in hand over its rival, which faces Japan in its next match in October.
A loss in that match could all but end the central Asian nation's hopes of progressing.
It was a wonderfully mature performance from an Australian side hit by a food poisoning scare on the day of the match.
The defence, marshalled by Lucas Neill and led by Chris Coyne, did a great job of holding out a determined home side, which dominated early in the second half.
Pim Verbeek was forced to leave out Jason Culina with the midfield mainstay suffering a stomach bug and Jacob Burns taking his place.
The other surprise saw Josh Kennedy out of the starting XI. Harry Kewell was preferred up front with Brett Holman and Mark Bresciano as support, while, as expected, Chipperfield took David Carney's place at left back.
Uzbekistan coach Rauf Inileev reacted strongly to the 3-0 defeat to Qatar and dropped high-profile pair Vitali Denisov and Timur Kapadze to the bench.
Both sides took their time to get into the game with ambitious long efforts from Islom Innamov, Ilkhomjon Suyonov and Brett Emerton the highlights of the first 20 minutes.
The bumpy surface was playing havoc with the flow of the game and it seemed the best attacking chances were borne of opposition mistakes. That's how Australia's goal evolved on 26 minutes.
A poor clearance from Server Djeperov fell to Luke Wilkshire, who played cute one-two with Emerton and then delivered a cross from the right for Chipperfield to head home from straight in front.
Australia took control of the game for the next 15 minutes, stringing together passes well in the midfield and rebuffing Uzbek attacks when they came.
That prompted frustration with Innamov booked on 34 minutes, although Carl Valeri was also cautioned a minute later.
Uzbekistan's best chance of the half fell to Ulughbek Bakaev on 42 minutes, as he failed to get either his header or subsequent shot from a rebound on target.
Bresciano then should have made it 2-0 on the cusp of the break, when Kewell put him through one-on-one with Ignatiy Nesterov but the Palermo man fired wide.
Uzbekistan attacked with purpose early in the second half and was almost rewarded with Wilkshire clearing Jasur Hasanov's shot off the line.
Djeperov's influence was growing and his quick free kick allowed Maksim Shatskikh to test Mark Schwarzer on the hour.
The home side now had a firm hold on the game and the Australian defence was repeatedly forced to clear from dangerous situations.
However, the hard work of the Australian midfield slowed the tempo midway through the half, and the chances began to dry up once more.
Carney came on for Bresciano with 18 minutes remaining, while Mile Sterjovski came on for Holman, with Verbeek topping up the petrol on both sides of midfield.
Carney immediately should have done better with a counter attacking move in rare second half chance for Australia.
But of more consequence for the Socceroos was the fact the home side was unable to seriously worry Schwarzer in the final 10 minutes. Uzbekistan only mustered half chances and Australia left with all three points.
Uzbekistan 0
Australia 1 (Chipperfield 26)