Nervous Olyroos pushed by Iraq in Tokyo Games qualifier
The Olyroos needed a brilliant long-range strike to get out of opening game against Iraq with a draw in their quest to qualify for the Tokyo Games. WATCH THE GOAL HERE.
Football
Don't miss out on the headlines from Football. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Olyroos’ bid to qualify for the Tokyo Games has got off to a nervy start, drawing 1-1 with Iraq in the opening game of the AFC U23 Championships in the Thai city of Pathum Thani.
Ahead through Rene Piscopo’s thundering freekick, Graham Arnold’s side were pegged back by Mohammed Qasim’s equally dramatic equaliser 12 minutes from time.
Watch every Hyundai A-League game LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
With the heat and humidity playing a major role throughout, the Olyroos struggled for fluency and struggled to impose themselves against a physical Iraqi side.
Adelaide strike Al Hassan Toure had the ball in the net early on, but saw his goal chalked off a foul in the build-up, and Toure was left isolated for long stretches as Iraq’s direct brand of football pushed Australia back.
Just past the hour, though, Piscopo earned a freekick centrally and 25m out, picking himself up from the turf to drive the ball powerfully into the top corner.
As the clock ticked down Australia edged closer to a win, but Qasim won the ball powerfully on 77min, advanced on the Olyroos goal and struck a perfectly judged shot across goalkeeper Tom Glover and into the far corner.
In the final minutes Dutch-based defender Dylan Ryan almost stole it with an inadvertent back header that bounced towards goal but came back off the post.
The draw means Australia have to beat hosts Thailand on Saturday, and may well need a positive result against Bahrain next Tuesday to reach the knockout stages.
Only the top three sides at the tournament will qualify for the Olympics, with the Olyroos bidding to reach their first games since 2008.
MORE NEWS
TARGETS: COPA AMERICA ON OFFER FOR OLYROOS
CONCERNS: MATILDAS OLYMPIC PATH MUST CLEAR SOME HURDLES
Originally published as Nervous Olyroos pushed by Iraq in Tokyo Games qualifier