United Arab Emirates 1-0 Australia: Olyroos out of London 2012 Olympics

Australia will miss an Olympic Games tournament for the first time since 1984, after disappointingly going down to the UAE on Thursday.

23/02/2012 9:44:00 AM

By Paddy Higgs

More On :  Australia Under 23, UAE Under 23
Australia - Olyroos - Oliver Bozanic
Getty

Australia have missed qualification to the London 2012 Olympics after losing 1-0 to the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

Requiring a win to stay in contention for second place in Group B and a subsequent playoff spot, the Olyroos' struggles in front of goal again haunted them.

Aurelio Vidmar's side have not scored in the group stage, and conceded midway through the first half when goalkeeper Mat Ryan - handed a Socceroos call-up on Tuesday - was beaten at his near post by Abdulrahman after a short corner.

Don't Miss

The Olyroos pushed for an equalizer and went close when Mate Dugandzic hit the crossbar, and Aaron Mooy and captain Oliver Bozanic also had chances.

Australia are bottom of Group B with just three points and out of the running for qualification, meaning they will miss the Olympics for the first time since 1984.

They have one final group game left, against Iraq in Gosford on March 14.


 
Inside Goal.Com
  1. The Ukraine police Amnesty are battling to control The Ukraine police Amnesty are battling to control

    The human rights organisation have raised concerns about the brutality reported in the country ahead of Euro 2012, with police still stuck in their old Soviet ways

  2. ANALYSIS: Australian starlets learn trade at River ANALYSIS: Australian starlets learn trade at River

    Lajos Hun, Jack Caminiti and Raymond Lay left their native country to play at Argentina's most celebrated football academy, where they are slowly adapting to life in Buenos Aires

  3. Spain's No.9: Torres making up for Villa's absence Spain's No.9: Torres making up for Villa's absence

    The Chelsea forward looked sharp and scored La Roja's first in a 4-1 win over South Korea on Wednesday. And with the Barcelona man sidelined, it looks like a timely return to form

  4. Almost half of England fans anticipate a howler Almost half of England fans anticipate a howler

    Supporters of the Three Lions will be hoping their side will cut out the costly errors while 80% of Swedish supporters would give up alcohol for a month to see their team triumph

  5. The full squad lists of every team at Euro 2012 The full squad lists of every team at Euro 2012

    From Croatia to Ukraine, through Italy & Spain, Goal.com makes it easy to navigate through all 16 teams involved in this summer's European showpiece event