Olyroos out of Olympics

The Olyroos needed a win to at least stay in the hunt for the play-offs involving the three second-placed teams in the Asian qualifying groups.

Once again, Australia was toothless in attack and has the ignominious distinction of failing to score a goal after five group games.

The loss left Australia bottom of its four-team group, trailing second-placed Uzbekistan by five points with one game to play against Iraq in Gosford on 14 March.

A win would lift it off the bottom and into third above Iraq, which upset previously unbeaten Uzbekistan 2-1 in the other penultimate round game.

The Olyroos created some decent chances, especially in the first half before UAE scored the only goal of the game.

Mate Dugandzic clipped the crossbar and Aaron Mooy and captain Oliver Bozanic each had a shot saved.

The only goal came midway through the first half, when goalkeeper Matthew Ryan was beaten at his near post by a speculative shot from near the goal line after a short corner routine.

Moments earlier Ryan had pulled off two good saves from a free kick and follow-up effort.

Unbeaten UAE, which now leads the group by three points, went close a couple of times just before the hour mark.

The home team was content to protect its lead in the final quarter and just launch the occasional attack.

Australia had a decent share of possession in the second half, but created few chances due to consistently poor delivery into the area from both set pieces and open play.

Mooy blazed high and wide with just over 10 minutes to go, as the Olyroos' painful goal drought continued.