Olyroos’ hopes of making 2020 Games becomes complicated after Pakistan pulls out of Asian qualifiers

The Olyroos’ hopes of making the next stage of qualification for the 2020 Olympics have been complicated further by the apparent withdrawal of Pakistan from the Asian qualifiers.

The Olyroos’ hopes of making the next stage of Olympics qualification have been complicated further by the apparent withdrawal of Pakistan from the Asian qualifiers being played this weekend.

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As Graham Arnold’s side flew to Cambodia for Saturday’s opening game with the hosts, Pakistan’s exit means Australia’s Games hopes will come down to just two games in this round of qualifying.

Pakistan’s reported withdrawal from a group involving India, defending champion Uzbekistan and Tajikistan means every team’s results against the bottom-placed side in each group will be discounted in terms of deciding the 11 group winners and four best runners up who will advance to the AFC U23 Championships next January.

Graham Arnold’s squad has spent the past week preparing in Malaysia, culminating in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia’s U23 side in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night.

The top three teams at that tournament will qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, but to even reach the U23 Championships, the Olyroos will probably have to get positive results against South Korea and Cambodia.

Arnold’s squad — many of whom have hardly played together before — has spent the past week preparing in Malaysia, culminating in a 1-1 draw with Malaysia’s U23 side in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday night.

Perth Glory defender Brandon Wilson scored with a header just after halftime, before an injury-time equaliser pegged back the Australians.