The loss leaves Australia bottom of the four-team Asian qualifying group with just two of the six rounds remaining.

Only the group winner qualifies directly, with the second-placed teams from each of the three groups advancing to playoffs in Vietnam in late March.

The winner of that will play African nation Senegal in Coventry, England, on April 23, with the victor claiming the final Olympic qualification spot.

The defeat in Tashkent leaves Australia on three points, five behind group leader Uzbekistan.

United Arab Emirates is second on five, one point ahead of Iraq, who it beat 1-0 in yesterday's other group B fixture.

Australia's chances of getting second spot may hinge on it winning both of its last two matches.

It is away to the UAE on February 22 and at home to Iraq in Gosford on March 14 in its last round-robin game.

Coach Aurelio Vidmar will be hoping he can regain the services of key overseas-based players including Tommy Orr and Matthew Leckie, whose clubs refused to release them for the game in Tashkent.

Conditions in Tashkent made fluent football difficult on a pitch more white than green due to snow and frost.

While the kickoff was brought forward five hours to 3pm local time, the temperature was still an uncomfortable minus 12 degrees.

The Olyroos' scoring drought continued, with Australia still to register its first goal in four games after each of its first three games finished 0-0.

Australia made a promising start, with Mate Dugandzic and captain Oliver Bozanic each getting a shot on target inside the first 10 minutes.

Shortly after Kenja Turaev gave Uzbekistan the lead with a 27th-minute long-range effort, Jason Hoffman had a goal rubbed out for offside.

Both teams created chances in the second half, with Mitch Nicholls netting just after the hour, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the penalty area.

Oleg Zoteev secured the win for the home team with a sublime volley in the 85th minute.

Australia is returning to Dubai to prepare for its next game.