Olyroos held in Lebanon

Australia were held to a 0-0 draw in Lebanon overnight. The report below from PA suggest that it's a big blow for the Olyroos.

Maybe but with Iraq drawing against North Korea Iraq and the Aussies are on 8 points with two to play.

Australia play Iraq at home in the game of the group. A win their would still mean they have to go and get a result in North Korea.

One game at a time as they say, but qualification is still on track.


BEIRUT: Australia's hopes of qualifying for next summer's Olympic Games in Beijing suffered a blow as Graham Arnold's Olyroos were held to a 0-0 draw by Lebanon at the Beirut Municipal Stadium on Wednesday evening.


Despite dominating for much of the 90 minutes, the Australians were unable to breach the Lebanese defence and the draw puts them under pressure ahead of their next qualifier against group leaders Iraq on November 17.


Missing the A-League's leading scorer Bruce Djite, who is out due to injury, the Australians lacked a cutting edge and were unable to turn their significant possession into goals.


The Olyroos controlled the tempo of the game but Australia came away with little to show for their superiority as they struggled to find a way through a resolute Lebanon back line. As a result, Graham Arnold's team was left to try their luck from set pieces or from distance.


Nicky Ward saw his seventh minute header palmed away by goalkeeper Hassan Mogneigh before Kristian Sarkies' shot was deflected wide.


However, it was Lebanon striker Akram Moghrabi who had the best goal scoring opportunity in the first quarter of the game when his turn and shot on the corner of the penalty area was just wide of Daniel Vukovic's left upright.


Mogneigh was again on hand to deny the Australians in the 27th minute when he pushed Mark Bridge's header to safety before Moghrabi went close again at the other end when he volleyed Jihad El Helwi's free kick just wide of the target.


Sarkies was then off target with his free kick before James Troisi blew a great chance to give the Olyroos the lead in first half injury time when he lifted the ball over the bar after a fine one-two with Bridge finally put him behind the Lebanese defence.


The Australians came out in determined mood in the second half, with Bridge seeing his 49th minute effort pushed away by Mogneigh while Troisi's shot was cleared off the line by Hussein Amine from the resultant corner.


Five minutes later Moghrabi looked set to give Lebanon the lead as the hosts hit hard on the break only for a last-ditch challenge from Adam D'Apuzzo to block the shot and leave Zhakaria Charara to fire into the side netting.


The Australians then contrived to create and miss a host of chances, with Sarkies among those sending his header just wide while, with the game deep into stoppage time, Bridge saw his attempt deflected wide of the target as Lebanon held on for a point. - PA Sport