Coach Graham Arnold insists the Socceroos have improved game-by-game after topping their Asian Cup group despite slipping to a flat 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan.
Australia were already guaranteed to reach the round of 16 but needed a win or draw at Doha's Al Janoub Stadium to finish top of group B.
Martin Boyle's spot-kick in the opening minute of first-half injury time, after a dubious handball call on Odiljon Hamrobekov following a VAR review, gave Australia the ascendancy.
