Uzbekistan had produced a string of impressive performances in the lead-up to the semi-final clash at Khalifa Stadium but were undone by a rampant Australian side.

Harry Kewell had put the Socceroos in front with just five minutes gone and Uzbekistan never really recovered. AFC Player of the Year Sasa Ognenovski extended the lead just after the half-hour mark before David Carney effectively killed off any hopes of a comeback when he netted the third goal midway through the second period.

The Central Asians' cause was not helped when Ulugbek Bakaev was sent-off in the 67th minute and Brett Emerton, Carl Valeri and Robbie Kruse rubbed further salt into the wounds.

And Abramov could not believe how his side fell apart so badly.

“I'm very sorry for the people who came to the stadium and also the supporters in Uzbekistan,” he said.

“The way we played today, I cannot describe it. We were prepared but we played badly, this is a big problem, we made too many mistakes.

“Up until now, I believed that we could beat Australia and win the tournament. I don't know what happened. After the second goal, we wanted to attack but we made too many mistake at the back.

“Even after the red card we made too many mistakes. At 3-0 down we tried to attack and this caused us many problems.”

Uzbekistan were without first-choice keeper Ignatiy Nesterov and forward Alexander Geynrikh after the pair were forced off in the quarter-final win over Jordan but Abramov felt the experienced duo would not have affected the outcome.

“No I don't think so,” he added.

“The mistakes were by the whole team, I don't know what happened but I'm sorry for the Uzbek fans.”

Uzbekistan now face a third-place play-off with Korea Republic on Friday and Abramov hopes his side can pick themselves up with the winner guaranteed a place in Australia in 2015.

“We must play well. The only problem is that six goals are too much and I hope we can bounce back,” he said.

“Now, it's not so good but we have a chance to beat Korea in the next game. I cannot change anything. Congratulations to Australia. Their win is historic but it's a bad day for the Uzbekistan team.

“I hope after two days for the next match, things look different.”