Australia have one foot in next year's Beijing Olympics after defeating Asian champions Iraq 2-0 in Gosford on Saturday. Australia claimed top spot in their final qualifying group, which also includes Lebanon and North Korea, after goals by Adrian Leijer and Mark Milligan.
It leaves the Australian under-23s needing only a draw from their final clash with North Korea in Pyongyang on Wednesday to finish top of the group and confirm their place in the men's football draw in Beijing.
Australia and Iraq were equal on eight points coming into the game, with the Iraqis leading the group on goal difference. But the Australians claimed the upper hand when Leijer slotted home the opening goal in the 19th minute following a goal-mouth scrap and skipper Milligan secured the win with a 58th-minute header. Australia's men have never missed an Olympics since football was opened to professionals in 1988, but this will be the first time they have qualified through Asia.
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