A largely new-look squad was unable to prevent Australia from finishing bottom of Group B with just four points from its six matches.

With six new faces in the starting side determined to prove they belonged in a national shirt, there was a sense of urgency by the Olyroos.

Iraq's Amjed Kalaf Mansoor couldn't capitalise on an early half-chance, and from there Australia had the better chances.

But the match quickly descended into an end-to-end affair as both sides fought to assert their authority in midfield.

Australian pair Chris Harold and Kofi Danning were the beneficiaries of some accurate passes from Mustafa Amini, but were unable to break down a committed Iraqi defence.

Danning had the best chance of the half to give Australia a decisive lead after 22 minutes, but the marksman elected to push a pass when pulling the trigger himself appeared the better option.

Dimitri Petratos was proving a handful for the Iraqi defenders with some bustling runs, while captain Ben Kantarovski strengthened the midfield with a composed performance.

Australian goalkeeper Mark Birighitti made an important late save to ensure scores would remain level at half-time.

Australia lifted the intensity noticeably after the break, but it was Iraq's Ammar Abdulhussein Ahmed who went within inches of opening the scoring in the 67th minute when he dragged his shot just wide.

A slick passing movement released striker Chris Harold shortly in the 87th minute but Iraqi goalkeeper Saqr Ajail Salih narrowed the angle and the shot went wide.

Harold had one final chance to break the deadlock deep in stoppage time but his powerful header was deflected out for a corner.

Both nations begin qualifying rounds for the inaugural under-22 Asian Cup in June, and this match is an opportunity to cast an eye on eligible talent.

"We are here to prepare for the next stage, which is the Asian Cup under-22s. We are here to build our team," said Iraq's head coach Radhi Swadi.

Some of the Iraqis are also determined to press their claims for a spot in the senior team, which has been drawn in the same pool as the Socceroos for the final qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

"The closest team to national team is the Olympic team," said Swadi.

"We're working step by step to choose those players which are ready for the national team, especially if we qualify for the World Cup."

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar has faith that the 10 new faces introduced to the national scene will adapt to the pressure of an international fixture if chosen.

"They're all very keen to represent their country. Australians have great character in terms of wanting to play for their country," said Vidmar.

"It's going to be a step higher as it is an international game against a very good Iraqi side."

Central Coast Mariners midfielder Mustafa Amini has been called into camp as a late replacement after Melbourne Victory's James Jeggo succumbed to injury.

Midfielder Ben Kantarovski said one full training session was not an ideal preparation but "everyone here knows how to play football".

"The aim is to go out there as a team and gel as quickly as possible," said Kantarovski.

The Olyoos are yet to net a goal in five matches of their qualifying campaign, and lie on the bottom of their pool with just three points.

Although unable to qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, Vidmar is confident his all locally-based side can go out of the competition on a positive note.

“It is obvious that mathematically we can’t qualify for the Olympic Games, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is an international match that we want to win.

“We have also selected the current group of players with the upcoming inaugural AFC U22 Asian Championship in mind to give them some valuable competitive international match experience.

“Although we will only have a limited preparation, I am sure that the boys will be looking to finish the campaign with a positive result."

The Olyroos and Iraq are out of contention to qualify for the Olympic Games with Uzbekistan and UAE playing in Tashkent for top spot in the group and a direct passage to the Olympics.

Olyroos squad:

Zac ANDERSON - Gold Coast United
Mark BIRIGHITTI (gk) - Adelaide United
Kofi DANNING - Brisbane Roar
Nicholas FITZGERALD - Brisbane Roar
Sam GALLAGHER - Central Coast Mariners
Craig GOODWIN - Melbourne Heart
Rhyan GRANT - Sydney FC
Brendan HAMILL - Melbourne Heart
Chris HAROLD - Gold Coast United
Bernie IBINI-ISEI - Central Coast Mariners
James JEGGO - Melbourne Victory
Ben KANTAROVSKI - Newcastle Jets
Mitchell MALLIA - Sydney FC
Jacob PEPPER -Newcastle Jets
Dimitrios PETRATOS - Sydney FC
Joshua RISDON - Perth Glory
Tom ROGIC - Central Coast Mariners
Lawrence THOMAS (gk) - Melbourne Victory

Australia will miss out on the Olympic tournament for the first time since 1984 after failing to score in and win any of their first five group games.

With one match remaining against Iraq in Gosford on March 14, the Olyroos cannot accumulate enough points to force their way into the playoffs between the three second-placed teams in the Asian qualifying groups.

After scoreless draws in each of their first three games, two of them at home, the Olyroos suffered successive away losses to Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

"We have been playing good football, but we were very unlucky with some decisions we got in Uzbekistan," midfielder Oliver Bozanic told AAP.

"It's very very frustrating to not put it in the back of the net and we had two disallowed goals against Uzbekistan, but then the rest of the games we should have had goals."

"It's very disappointing not to win those games and to not qualify."

Several of Australia's most dangerous attackers, including Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie were not released by their European clubs for key games.

While some pundits have raised concerns about a possible lack of talent flowing through to Socceroo ranks based on the Olyroos results, Bozanic wasn't concerned.

"I think there's lots of good young talent in the A-League," Central Coast player Bozanic said.

"It was a disappointing campaign for us, but it shouldn't reflect on the young players in the team and where they are looking to go and the direction they are heading in."

Australia will miss the Olympic tournament for the first time since 1984 after Australia's U-23 team joined the Matildas on the qualification scrap heap on Thursday morning.

A 1-0 loss to United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi ended the Olyroos' hopes and was the fifth-straight game in which Aurelio Vidmar's side failed to score a goal.

Neill described the campaign as "extremely disappointing".

"If there's any positive to come out of it, it's knowing maybe we need to go back to the drawing board and have a look at where it went wrong and identify that and make sure it doesn't happen again," Neill said on Friday.

"No goals in five games and no wins is extremely disappointing and it's unusual for a young Australian team that usually pride themselves on being attacking and full of attacking moments.

"Maybe the biggest thing is we can't get complacent, no matter who we're playing and at what level.

"We've got to keep raising the bar because everyone in the world is always improving in football.

"... I think that's got to happen at 17s, 20s and 23s and at (senior level)."

Neill had the experience of becoming an Olympian at the Sydney 2000 Games and predicted the Olyroos' failure would hit home hardest when the London Games begin.

"The big picture is these guys are going to be sitting there now going, 'we're missing out on going to the Olympics'," Neill said.

"When the Olympics come on in July, we're not going to see Australia and it's really going to hit home and that's the bit we've all got to learn from.

"... These guys had a chance and they didn't take it and that will probably be a regret and blips on their CVs for the rest of their careers."

Palmer is again on a crash course with FFA boss Ben Buckley after seeking to have the big-bucks game played in order to highlight selection flaws in the Olyroos' doomed London Games qualifying campaign.

"I'm prepared to put up $50,000 for the winning team, which I am confident will be the Gold Coast," Palmer said in a statement.

"We have won the National Youth League for the past two seasons and a lot of these guys have now made their mark in the A-League.

"I'm sure our boys would give the Olyroos a good hiding and show what could have been achieved had there been a fairer selection system."

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar was limited to picking three players from each A-League club and was further hampered when overseas clubs did not release the likes of Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie because the qualifiers fell on non-FIFA dates.

In the end, the Olyroos missed Olympic qualification for the first time in 28 years with a 1-0 loss to United Arab Emirates early on Thursday (AEDT).

Palmer hoped the FFA would agree to have the fixture scheduled "at the earliest convenient date".

But the United boss picked a bad week to ask Buckley for a favour.

On Monday Palmer was in damage control after calling the A-League "a joke" and soccer "a hopeless game".

An unimpressed Buckley responded by saying he would reassess the Gold Coast club's future at the end of the current season.

Not one to take a backward step, Palmer described the Olyroos' failure to qualify as a "national embarrassment".

"Australia has missed out on playing in the Olympics for the first time in 28 years and this was largely due to the selections," he said.

"The Olyroos have been ordinary in attack yet Gold Coast players who have been starring in the A-League like Ben Halloran and James Brown couldn't make the squad coach Aurelio Vidmar took away for the Asian qualifiers.

"Ben Halloran scored one of the goals of the season against Central Coast last night – imagine what a difference his speed and skill could have brought to the Olyroos.

"Originally there were no Gold Coast players in the Olyroos squad for these qualifiers and they only called up our defender Dylan McGowan due to injury."

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.

The Olyroos' clash with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Thursday morning (0030 AEDT) is the last-chance saloon for the Australia Under-23 side.

Without a win in its four group matches, maximum points are a must for the team to have any hope of finishing second and getting into the play-offs for a Games spot.

Already top spot in the group and automatic qualification is out of reach, partly because of a decision earlier this month to strip Iraq of points because of a player eligibility infringement.

That leaves UAE - which received a 3-0 win over Iraq because of the infringement - equal top of the group on eight points.

It and Uzbekistan are five points clear of the Olyroos.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar recognises the Iraq decision leaves his side with huge problems, added to the fact it is goalless in all four matches so far.

"We've still got a lot to play for, but if we don't win then we're definitely gone," Vidmar said from Dubai on Monday.

"We know what's in front of us. I thought we were pretty unlucky against Uzbekistan (in a 2-0 defeat in freezing conditions earlier this month)."

The Olyroos have managed to call up Scottish-based midfielder Aaron Mooy, who will join the team in camp late on Monday night.

But Vidmar said he had failed to negotiate the release of other overseas-based players, including striker Mathew Leckie who is injured and won't be let go by his German club Borussia Monchengladbach.

Vidmar conceded the problems of getting European-based players released has taken a toll on a campaign in which A-League players have mostly featured.

"That's been the way it's been the whole campaign," Vidmar said.

"We've kept knocking on the door again and again, and got a flat-out no. We've done everything we can to get these players released."

Australia's final group match is against Iraq in Gosford on 14 March, with the UAE and Uzbekistan to play on the same day.

If the Olyroos finish second in the group, they will play off against the runner-up from the two other Asian groups.

The winner of that play-off will have a match against Senegal to claim the last qualifying spot for London 2012.

The tournament will be played from 23 June to 8 July 2012 at a venue to be determined.

FFA Technical Director Han Berger welcomed the result of the draw and the opportunity that a new competition like the AFC U-22 Asian Cup presents Australian football.

“It’s very exciting for us to be a part of this exciting new international competition in Asia.

“The next edition of this tournament will be even more important as it will serve as the qualifiers for the 2016 Brazil Olympic Games.

“This competition is another great opportunity for our players to get valuable experience in an international tournament against quality opposition,” concluded Berger.

AFC U-22 Asian Cup 2013 Qualifiers groups:

Group A: UAE, Iraq, Oman, India, Turkmenistan, Lebanon
Group B: Saudi Arabia, Syria, Pakistan, Palestine, Kyrgyzstan, Sri Lanka
Group C: Bahrain, IR Iran, Tajikistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Maldives
Group D: Uzbekistan, Jordan, Yemen, Bangladesh, Nepal
Group E: Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau, Timor Leste
Group F: DPR Korea, China PR, Thailand, Hong Kong, Laos, Cambodia
Group G: Korea Republic, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Chinese Taipei, Philippines

Nichols picked up his second yellow card of Australia's Olympic qualifying campaign during the loss to Uzbekistan in freezing conditions last weekend, while Ryall injured his hamstring in the 2-0 defeat in Tashkent.

No replacement will be called up for Nichols while Gold Coast United's Dylan McGowan has been called up by coach Aurelio Vidmar to replace Ryall.

Australia's hopes of qualifying for this year's Olympics became even slimmer with the overnight decision by FIFA to award the UAE a 3-0 win over Iraq after the Iraqis were deemed to have fielded an ineligible player in the November 27 fixture.

It means the Olyroos must win their remaining two fixtures against the UAE and Iraq and hope Uzbekistan and the UAE accrue no more than one point from their final two matches, which would leave goal difference to determine the final placings.

The Olyroos squad is in Dubai preparing for the UAE match, which will be played on February 22.

The peak body has ruled that Iraq fielded an ineligible player in an Olympic qualifying win last November and it awarded a 3-0 victory to United Arab Emirates.

The decision has propelled UAE to a share of the lead in the group on eight points with Uzbekistan, Aurelio Vidmar's Australia well off the pace on just three points with two qualifying matches remaining.

Even victory in the remaining matches against UAE and Iraq for the Olyroos will not be enough to win the group and qualify automatically.

The Olyroos battled temperatures of 11 degrees below zero and a thick layer of snow at the JAR Stadium.

Originally scheduled for an 8pm kick-off, the game was changed to 3pm local time due to the freezing conditions throughout Uzbekistan.

The Australians started the match well, dominating possession in the first 20 minutes, however it was the home team who were to strike first.

Uzbek forward Kenja Tuarev scored on 27 minutes via some neat play.

Going behind spurred on the Australians who were unlucky to have a Jason Hoffman goal disallowed for offside just before half time.

The second half proved to be a similar story as Mitch Nichols also had a goal disallowed for offside and on 86 minutes the match was put beyond the Aussies' reach as Oleg Zoteev's volley gave Uzbekistan a 2-0 lead.

Aurelio Vidmar's side will return to Dubai for a training camp to prepare for its next international friendly against Philippines on 17 February (AEDT) at Al Nasr Stadium.

The Olyroos' next qualification match is against United Arab Emirates at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on 23 February.

The game was scheduled to kick off at 8pm on Sunday (local time) but will now start at 3pm (9pm AEDT).

Temperatures in Tashkent have plummeted to -18 degrees C and aren't expected to climb much above -8 C during the day.

It is a crucial game for the Olyroos, who are currently running third in the four-team Asian qualifying group, two points behind leader Uzbekistan.

Australia has yet to score or concede a goal in the competition, having fought out 0-0 draws in all three of its games.

Only the group winner advances directly to the Olympics, with all second-placed teams going into a play-off.

The Olyroos are facing utterly alien conditions - seriously sub-zero temperatures, snow and a frozen pitch - in a match against the table-topping team with their 2012 Olympic campaign on the line.

Forecasters predict a top of minus 10 and a low of minus 17, with a wind chill of minus 23.

Even the kick-off time of eight o'clock at night (Monday 02:00 AEDT) mitigates against slightly less freezing temperatures.

The Olyroos are in for an extra rude shock, having prepared for the past three days in the Middle Eastern heat of Dubai before flying to Tashkent on Friday.

Internet pictures sent to them showed a pitch full of snow and mist, emphasising why Uzbekistan is one of the toughest destinations in world football, especially for an away team badly in need of a goal and a result after three scoreless draws.

"I don't think any of our boys have been used to these conditions," said coach Aurelio Vidmar before flying out of Dubai.

"We have a training session scheduled tomorrow, so hopefully two things will happen - one, we will get on to the pitch and two, we will see what type of football the conditions will allow us to play.

"It's certainly not an easy destination.

"It's not easy to get there and it's never easy to play there.

"But our kids are smart, switched on and ready to go."

As if things weren't tough enough, the Australians have also taken their own chef with them from their resort in Dubai after the Socceroos lost Jason Culina and Jade North to food poisoning in the Central Asian nation in 2008.

"We know the history of going to Uzbekistan and we're trying to avoid players getting sick," Vidmar said.

"We have prepared very well."

Vidmar's main focus in training has been to give his players confidence in front of goal after a three-game drought.

"We have been getting in the right situations in matches but we just haven't finished off," he said.

"It's not going to happen in one session, and all the players do things differently at their A-League clubs.

"But the more times we find the back of the net the more confidence we're going to get."

Vidmar has been unable to secure the services of overseas-based stars Aaron Mooy (Scotland), Tommy Oar (Netherlands) and Mathew Leckie (Germany) in Tashkent but is confident their clubs will release them for the next match in the United Arab Emirates on February 22.

But that will be of cold comfort if his campaign all but ends in the frozen wastes of Tashkent.

With three games played in their Asian zone and three to go, the Olyroos are lying second bottom and must change things around quickly if they are to maintain their record of qualifying for every Olympics since 1988.

Should they lose to Uzbekistan, they would be five points behind the Group B leader with just two games left, and only the three group winners are guaranteed a berth in London.

The second-place finishers will play off in Vietnam from March 25 to 29 for the right to take on an African team in a winner-takes-all game in England, with the prize of a place in London at stake.

Antonis was tested on Friday morning, but failed to satisfactorily complete the tasks required and as a result was ruled out of the upcoming two matches.

Antonis, who had been under a fitness cloud when the squad was announced midweek, expressed his frustration at having to stand down.

“I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to represent Australia in these games,” he said.

“I love playing for my country and was really looking forward to playing in these two important matches.

“I’m sure the boys will be able to get the job done and I wish Aurelio and the team good luck."

The match is part of the international football package announced by the NSW Government through Destination NSW and Football Federation Australia in August 2011.

The package includes two Olyroos qualifiers for the 2012 Games, the first of which was played last November at Parramatta Stadium and the second is to be played at Bluetongue Stadium, which is to be called Central Coast Stadium for the occasion due to AFC requirements.

Hartcher said the announcement that Gosford would host the Australian Under-23s v Iraq Under-23s was a fantastic achievement for the region and an exciting addition to the 2012 NSW Events Calendar.

“This is great news for the Central Coast and reflects the NSW Government’s desire to take international football to as many parts of the State as possible.

“Pending the outcome of other London 2012 qualifiers during February in Australia’s group, the match against Iraq could be crucial to our hopes of London 2012 qualification.

“The NSW Government is committed to supporting events in regional NSW as they play an important role in driving tourism and generating economic benefit for the State and local community.”

Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley said he was greatly appreciative of the support from the Government for this match and other football events within NSW.

“The support from the NSW Government for these Olympic Games qualification matches and the Socceroos' 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers provides fans with fantastic opportunities for them to support our national teams at top quality stadiums,” he said.

“The Central Coast area in particular has a great tradition of supporting our national teams when they have played at Central Coast Stadium and I’m sure that our upcoming match against Iraq will be no different.”

Tickets for the match will go on sale from 9am on Friday 3 February.

Bulut was among the new faces in Aurelio Vidmar's 20-player squad for the 2012 London Olympic Games third round matches, joining Melbourne Victory's Isaka Cernak, Adelaide defender Antony Golec and Brisbane Roar midfielder Rocco Visconte.

Sydney FC midfielder Terry Antonis was also named in the squad, subject to a fitness test. It is understood Central Coast duo Mustafa Amini and Bernie Ibini are on stand by to cover for Antonis.

Among the overseas contingent who may be available to be selected for the UAE match are Aaron Mooy (St Mirren, Scotland), Tommy Oar (FC Utrceht, Netherlands) and Mathew Leckie (Borussia Monchengladbach, Germany), with their club commitments ruling them out of the Uzbekistan match.

The bulk of the squad will depart Australia on 29 January for a pre-match camp in UAE before heading to Tashkent to face Uzbekistan at the JAR Stadium on Sunday 5 February.

The UAE match will be played at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday 22 February.

The teams in each group of the third round of qualifying play in a home-and-away format from 21 September 2011, to 14 March 14, 2012, with the winner of each group directly qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a playoff at a centralised venue from 25 to 29 March, 2012, and the winners of this group will meet the representatives of CAF (Africa) for a berth in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Australia U-23 squad: Terry Antonis (Sydney FC), Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart), Mark Birighitti (Adelaide United), Oliver Bozanic (Central Coast Mariners), Kerem Bulut (FK Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic), Isaka Cernak (Melbourne Victory), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Diogo Ferreira (Melbourne Victory), Matthew Foschini (Melbourne Victory), Antony Golec (Adelaide United), Jason Hoffman (Melbourne Heart), Matthew Jurman (Brisbane Roar), Ben Katarovski (Newcastle Jets), Daniel Mullen (Adelaide United), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Dimitri Petratos (Sydney FC), Sebastian Ryall (Sydney FC), Mat Ryan (Central Coast Mariners), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory), Rocco Visconte (Brisbane Roar).

And with Australia women's team already eliminated, that will mean no Australian involvement in London in the world's most popular game.

Whatever weird ailment caused Scott McDonald to bang in 93 goals in 196 club matches in Scotland, yet fail to score once in 25 appearances for Australia, seems to have gripped the goal-shy Olyroos.

They have played four and a half hours of football without a goal - at either end.

Yet the moment the players strip the green and gold jerseys off their backs, bingo.

Days after their third consecutive bore draw, against Uzbekistan in Sydney in November, Olyroos players were hitting the target left, right and centre in the A-League.

It took Dimi Petratos just 36 seconds for Sydney FC, and his was no ordinary goal; it helped end Brisbane Roar's Australian record unbeaten run.

Mate Dugandzic fired home Melbourne Heart's winner against Wellington the same weekend, prompting his coach John van't Schip to marvel at how he "stretches the pitch with his runs, with or without the ball".

Five days later Mitch Nichols netted for Brisbane, too.

What's going on?

The Olyroos now languish second from bottom at the halfway stage in a tight group with three points, behind Uzbekistan (five) and Iraq (four) and ahead of only United Arab Emirates (two).

Two away matches in February in Uzbekistan and UAE will be critical for their chances before a final home game against Iraq in March.

Only the top team goes straight through to London, with the runner-up facing further play-offs.

The Olyroos might not be struggling if they could call on the services of foreign-based young stars like Luke De Vere (Korea Republic), Tommy Oar (Netherlands), Matthew Leckie (Germany), Aaron Mooy (Scotland) and Brent McGrath (Denmark).

But the Olympic qualifiers fall on non-FIFA dates, and coach Aurelio Vidmar is resigned to the reality that overseas clubs "don't bend backwards for you".

He applauds the tenacity of his A-Leaguers who are "willing to die for their country" but admits they have been lacking finesse in front of goal.

"Maybe it's time we stopped doing tactical work at training and concentrated a bit more on shooting," he lamented.

"We still can't hit the back of the net."

The voluntary limit has been put in place by FFA after extensive consultations with A-League clubs affected by player call ups for Australia's U-23 national team.

The Olyroos play Uzbekistan in Tashkent on Sunday 5 February and the United Arab Emirates in Al Ain on Wednesday 22 February.

“The impact on the A-League clubs is something we always take into consideration when developing the under-age national teams program,” FFA National Technical Director Han Berger said.

“In this case, Aurelio Vidmar is confident he can select a very strong squad within the limits of using no more than three players per club.

“As a result, the A-League clubs can plan with some certainty for the period when the players will be away for these very important Olympic qualification matches.”

With clubs like Brisbane Roar and Central Coast Mariners potentially losing the services of four of more players if selected by Vidmar, FFA acted to ensure this was not the case.

In addition, the travel plans for the Olyroos have been adjusted in the interests of player welfare. This will enable A-League players selected for the February matches to play for their club in Week 17 matches (26 January – 29 January) before departing for Tashkent.

The provisional plan was for two separate trips away for the February matches, with the players returning to their A-League clubs in between.

“Having considered all the options, we believe the long-haul flights should be minimised by having one trip away to take in the two matches,” Berger said.

“I would like to thank all the A-League coaches and football directors involved in this planning. The logistics are never easy in these circumstances, but I believe we now have the best outcome possible for the players, the Olympic campaign and the A-League clubs.”

Vidmar is expected to name his 18-player squad on 16 January with FFA continuing to talk with European and Asian clubs about the release of eligible Australian players.

The 19-year-old continued an impressive first full senior season by becoming the second monthly nominee for the A-League's young player of the year award on Thursday.

The Nigerian-born, Australian-raised frontman was top scorer in the youth league last season with 12 goals and has established himself in Arnold's starting line-up this season, notching two goals in seven appearances.

And with Aurelio Vidmar's Australian under 23s side yet to score a goal in three matches in its bid to qualify for the London Olympics, former Olyroos coach Arnold believes Ibini could be considered when qualifying resumes in February.

"Bernie has progressed enormously," Arnold said of Ibini, who has played six times for the Australian under 20s.

"He pretty well went from a youth team player to a under-20 international to a first team player within six, seven months.

"... I don't think it will be long before you see him in the Olympic team.

"I think he came back from the under-20 World Cup a more mature player.

"He's learnt in a short time that you have to work extremely hard to get the best possible results."

Ibini and his family of six immigrated to Australia from Nigeria when he was one and he now lives in Bankstown in Sydney's south-west.

After being handed a debut off the bench by former coach Lawrie McKinna, Ibini began training with the first grade squad when Arnold joined as coach for the 2010/11 season.

He impressed Arnold through the season and made an appearance as a substitute in the Mariners' heart-breaking grand final loss to Brisbane Roar.

"Training with the first grade squad pretty much for the whole season and playing in the youth (league) really helped me get that extra fitness and push myself a lot more," he said.

"Things progressed pretty quickly from having my (first team) starting debut last season to even playing, coming on, in the grand final.

"Playing in front of fifty thousand people and now having the number nine jersey, it has been really good so far."

The Mariners face Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium on Friday night.

The dynamic young attacker has been United’s most lethal marksman this season. It was form that saw him win a call-up to the recent Olyroos squad but it also meant he missed the match against Melbourne Victory.

Brown’s four goals in six appearances saw him named the NAB Young Player of the Month for October and he is eager to inspire his side to a win over Perth Glory this Saturday.

Though he enjoyed his time representing his country, Brown said today that he was eager to get back into the swing of A-League football.

“It’s been really good to be away with the Olyroos because it’s always an honour to represent your country, but at the same time a little frustrating for me that I haven’t been here to help the team out,” he said.

“But if I’m selected to play this Saturday against Perth then just like the rest of the side I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got to get us back to winning ways. We need the points and we all believe we can go over there and get them.

“I’m really glad to be back and we’re all determined to prove that we’re a good team. There’s plenty of depth here and plenty of competition for places, so nobody is taking their spot in the team for granted.

“We’ve worked really hard at training this morning and will be doing the same this afternoon; just as we will every day before the match. We’re fired up for the game and we know a win will change everything for us and start the ball rolling.

“It’s not as if we haven’t been playing well enough to win matches – we have, but a few things haven’t gone our way to say the least. It’s still early in the season though and the mood is very positive in the camp because we know that we can go over to Perth and get the result we need,” he declared.

Gold Coast United currently sits last on the ladder with five points. Perth Glory has lost four of its previous five outings but sits sixth, with ten.

The Olyroos coach, whose side is struggling to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics after a third goalless draw, is full of praise for the cooperation he has received from A-League clubs.

No domestic sides have baulked at releasing young stars like Mitch Nichols and Matt Ryan for Australia's Olympic cause.

But Vidmar gets no such joy from overseas teams, who hang on to their players because the Olympic qualifiers do not fall on dates protected by FIFA.

As a result, he is forced to use exclusively home-based players, and is keen to make things easier for their A-League employers.

The issue only arises every four years, when the Games roll around, but Vidmar believes his proposal would solve a thorny club-versus-country dilemma for domestic teams.

"Maybe the A-League should stop (on Olympic match dates)," he said.

"That way, there's no complaints from anyone.

"Everyone is happy; I'm happy as coach of the Olympic team and the club coaches are happy because there are no games."

Vidmar acknowledges the sometimes-complex commercial agreements and scheduling issues that must be addressed.

"It's not an easy fix, but it's something that in the future everyone can have a look at," he said.

"I don't think it's ever been spoken about, so maybe that can go on the table for everybody to consider."

Vidmar described as fantastic his team's relationship with coaches in the top domestic competition.

"The communications are clear and open," he said. "We had a meeting with all coaches and they voiced their concerns.

"Everyone understands it's not an easy situation. We understand their frustrations. They also understand the situation we're in."

The Olyroos might not be struggling to reach London if they could call on the services of foreign-based players such as Luke De Vere (South Korea), Tommy Oar (Netherlands), Matthew Leckie (Germany), Aaron Mooy (Scotland) and Brent McGrath (Denmark).

But Vidmar is resigned to the reality that overseas clubs "don't bend backwards for you".

Last week, he asked for a few players from overseas to bolster the Olyroo squad that registered Australia's stalemate against Uzbekistan in Sydney on Sunday night.

"They said no," a frustrated Vidmar said.

"They (the players) are not even involved in their clubs' first teams, so it's not as if they would even be missing them.

"But because it's a non-FIFA date, they (the clubs) don't have to do anything.

"We have to accept it; that's the way it is."

The Olyroos are third in the four-team group at the halfway stage in a tight group with three points, behind Uzbekistan (five), Iraq (four) and ahead of only United Arab Emirates (two).

Two away matches in February in Uzbekistan and UAE will be critical before a final home game against Iraq in March.

Only the top team goes straight through to London, with the runner-up facing further play-offs.

A third straight goalless draw, this time against table-topping Uzbekistan at Sydney's Parramatta Stadium, has left them struggling to keep up with the pace at the halfway stage of their qualifying group.

The Olyroos have now played four and a half hours of football without finding the net, and look like they have forgotten how.

The Australians find themselves two points behind Uzbekistan, where they must travel in February for the key away match of their campaign.

Only the top team goes through automatically to London's 2012 Olympics.

The second-placed side will face further play-offs, and on their current form up front the Australians might struggle to secure that berth, too.

Dimitrios Petratos did manage to put the ball into the net in the second half after Uzbekistan's goalkeeper failed to grasp a Mitch Nichols shot, but he was clearly offside.

Nichols came close again when a searing left foot shot sizzled over the crossbar, but this time did not trouble Uzbekistan's goalie.

The Olyroos can take heart from a gutsy performance against a solid Uzbekistan team.

But although they enjoyed the bulk of possession and territory, the final pass let them down and they had difficulty creating enough chances to swing a match they badly wanted to win.

In the first half Uzbekistan, against the run of play, peppered the Australian defence, with captain Musaev Fozil bursting through from midfield twice to force a save from goalkeeper Matt Ryan and a desperate block from central defender Matthew Jurman.

The Olyroos dominated play in the second half, but still could not crack their duck and might soon seen their best chance of qualification slipping away.

A frustrated Australian coach Aurelio Vidmar said: "We still can't hit the back of the net.

"Maybe it's time we stopped doing tactical work at training and concentrated a bit more on shooting.

"We seem to be lacking that little bit of extra finesse (in attack).

"We get in front of the penalty box time and time again, but the wall pass goes too long or the through ball hits the striker on the back of the neck instead of going in front of him.

"It's the small detail that's letting us down."

Vidmar particularly praised the performances of Matt Ryan in goal, Petratos up front and man-of-the-match Jurman in defence.

He said one of the biggest pluses was the tenacity of all of his players, who had showed they were "willing to die for their country".

Uzbekistan coach Vadim Abramov said it was unfair that his team had to play its previous qualifier last Wednesday in the United Arab Emirates, while the Olyroos qualifier against Iraq in Qatar was switched to a day earlier.

This has given Aurelio Vidmar's Australian side an extra day to recover and to get over jet lag after the long trip from the Middle East to Sydney.

"It's very difficult for us to come here," Abramov said.

His complaint stems from the fact FIFA switched Iraq's home matches to nearby Doha because of security concerns.

The Olyroos were originally scheduled to play Iraq on Wednesday, but the game was brought forward because Qatar was already slotted to play a home qualifier in Doha that day in a different Asian qualifying group.

It's a case of the rub of the green favouring Australia rather than any sinister backroom dealings.

But the Aussies will take any advantage they can get in a match they feel they must win to top the group and qualify automatically for the 2012 London Olympics.

After two goalless draws Australia must defeat Uzbekistan at Parramatta Stadium to vault to the top of the table, knowing that its next match is away against the same team in February.

The top team goes straight to London while the runner-up faces further qualifiers.

Uzbekistan, the only side to have scored in this group's four matches so far, insists it is not here to scramble for a point.

"I want to win, not draw," said Abramov. "It is too far to come for a draw.

"It is a very important game for both teams."

Despite a less than roaring start to the Olyroos' campaign, Vidmar is expected to keep faith with the players that have served him so far.

His only selection headache is who to play at left-back in place of the suspended Aziz Behich, who picked up a second yellow card against Iraq.

But Australia's problems are at the other end, where it has failed to find the net in two matches despite a string of clear chances.

"The chances will keep coming if we get players like Mitch Nicholls on the ball," said Melbourne Heart forward Jason Hoffman.

"We'll create as many chances as we did in the last game, and hopefully we will put them away this time and put Uzbekistan to the sword."

Captain Oliver Bozanic agrees.

"We were a bit unlucky against Iraq. If we create the same chances, I think we'll get the result we need," he said.

Vidmar had a much blunter assessment however.

"We need to win to get ourselves back on track."

The left-sided defender picked up his second yellow card of the Asian Olympic qualifiers for the 2012 London Games against Iraq in Doha in midweek.

Vidmar called up Melbourne Heart defender Good shortly after the match against Iraq but has elected to bring in the more experienced Central Coast Mariners defender Gallagher.

In the other group B match, UAE and Uzbekistan played out a scoreless draw whi ch means tehr ace for a spot in the Games is wide open.

The Olyroos have arrived back in Sydney to prepare for their all-important match against Uzbekistan at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday evening.

The winners of Asia's three groups qualify directly for the London Games.

The three second-placed teams will play off at a centralised venue from March 25 to 29 and the winners will meet a team from Africa for a berth in the Games.

The Olyroos' bid to make the London Olympics football tournament stuttered with a 0-0 draw in the Group C match against Iraq in Qatar.

With two draws from its opening two matches, Australia needs to beat group leader Uzbekistan at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday to aid its hopes of topping the group and qualifying automatically for London.

Melbourne Heart defender Good has been one of the most impressive first-year players in the competition this season.

And Kantarovski has also started the season well for Newcastle Jets.

They will replace Heart left-back Aziz Behich, who is suspended for the match after picking up a yellow card against Iraq, and English-based defender Cameron Edwards.

The Olyroos, who drew their opening match against the UAE in September, were forced to share the points yet again thanks to the efforts of Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan.

Despite the Olyroos dominating possession in a match played in high winds, Hassan saved four clear-cut Australian chances to help his team gain its first point.

"Tonight we lost three points, we had very good chances in the first half and we should have had the game won by half-time," he said after the game in Doha.

"We controlled the game for most of the 90 minutes ... (but) the group is still very much open and we have an important match against Uzbekistan and we need to take three points."

The winner of each of the three Asian groups automatically progresses to the Olympics.

The second-placed teams enter a three-way playoff for the right to play an African team for a Games berth.

Match Highlights: Iraq v Olyroos

The Olyroos, who drew their opening match against the UAE in September, were forced to share the points yet again, thanks to the efforts of Iraqi goalkeeper Jalal Hassan who displayed tremendous alertness and anticipation.

Hassan saved four Australian chances to help his team gain its first point after its 2-0 loss to Uzbekistan earlier in the campaign.

The Iraqis matched the Australians man for man, except for occasional defensive errors that on another day could have spelt disaster.

After the initial burst of Iraqi aggression that saw the rival defence under pressure on a couple of occasions, Australia managed to get its act together in midfield, pushing forward in search of its first goal.

It was presented with two golden chances in a space of a few seconds, but James Brown found Hassan equal to the task.

Brown dribbled past the last Iraqi defender in the 39th minute, but his shot from six yards was blocked by Hassan.

The ball came back to Brown, but he couldn't believe his eyes as his second shot too was deflected by the alert goalkeeper.

Australia kept on attacking and was presented with another opportunity a minute later but Sebastian Ryall's header off a chip from 25 yards was grabbed by Hassan.

Iraq managed to keep the Olyroos at bay in the second half too, but once again had Hassan to thank.

He tipped a thundering shot by Marko Jessic over the bar in the 57th minute and later cleared the ball from the penalty area on a couple of occasions to prevent his team from suffering its second successive defeat in qualifying and breathing new life into its campaign.

Australia next plays Uzbekistan at home on Sunday, while the UAE meets Iraq.

After being held to a goalless draw by United Arab Emirates in their first match in Adelaide, the Olyroos will face the Iraqis on Wednesday (AEDT) and Uzbekistan at Parramatta Stadium on Sunday needing a result in both matches to stay on course for a ticket to London.

“The next two games certainly are going to be crucial and it would be nice to get a win here but we know we are not going to win it in the first 10 or 15 minutes,” Vidmar said from the Qatar capital.

”We expect a tough game tomorrow against a very strong side that has fantastic fighting qualities.

”After losing the first match against the Uzbeks they will come at us with all guns blazing and we have to be smart about the way we approach this game and stay in it as long as we can.

”It does not matter if we score in the last minute although we would be happy if we can do that.”

Since the two matches won't fall on a FIFA date Vidmar has been unable to secure the services of several foreign-based stars.

But he said he had the utmost confidence in the A-League boys' ability to do the job.

"We don't have the overseas-based players but the A-League players are extremely committed to the cause which is fantastic and that's all you can ask for,” he said.

”Some of the younger guys took a while to get used to the heat but the general spirit has been good at training and we're all ready to go.

"I am really confident of having a really good game tomorrow.”

Vidmar, who has a wealth of talented players in his squad including A-League regulars Mathew Ryan, Mitch Nichols, Oliver Bozanic, Mate Dugandzic and Matthew Jurman, said he would finalise the line-up to take on Iraq after a final training session at the match venue.

”I've probably got one or two positions that I've just got a bit of query on and we've got a training session tonight which is when I'll have a look at a couple of things,” he said.

”But more or less I am pretty sure what I'm going to do.

”Our attack is one of our big strengths; another is that this is not a group of individuals but a very solid team.

”It's not easy when they do all sorts of things with their clubs and then they come here and we try to do one thing.

”With limited time that we had we needed to put things together so we could work as a team.

”That's one thing that the players have taken on board so I'm pleased with that.”

The winners of Asia's three qualifying round-robin groups will go straight to the London Games; while the three runners-up will play off in another qualifying tournament for the right to face a team from Africa for a Games berth.

Central Coast Mariners goalkeeper Mathew Ryan receives his first call-up to the Olyroos squad for this campaign so too does team-mate Brad McDonald, Gold Coast United defender Dylan McGowan, Sydney FC midfielder Dimitrios Petratos and Perth Glory striker Adam Taggart, who was a member of the Young Socceroos squad that recently successfully qualified for the AFC U-19 Championship 2012.

"After drawing our opening match against the UAE we need to get a good result from these two matches to give us the best possible chance of qualifying for the Olympics," Vidmar said.

"With injuries to a number of players we have used in the previous matches, we've selected a few new faces following our recent training camp in Sydney.

"It will be up to these players to take their opportunity and step up to the challenge ahead.

"We will have a short camp together in Qatar before the Iraq match to work on things and I'm confident that the boys are up to it."

The Australian Under 23s will play Iraq in its next AFC Asian Qualifiers for the 2012 London Games match on Tuesday 22 November (Al Arabi Stadium, Doha, Qatar) and then Uzbekistan five days later at Parramatta Stadium.

The teams in each group of the third round of qualifying play in a home-and-away format from 21 September 2011, to 14 March 14, 2012, with the winner of each group directly qualifying for the London Games.

The three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a play-off at a centralised venue from 25 to 29 March, 2012, and the winner of this group will meet the representatives of CAF (Africa) for an Olympics berth.

Olyroos squad: Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart), Mark Birighitti (gk) (Adelaide United), Oliver Bozanic (Central Coast Mariners), James Brown (Gold Coast United), Kofi Danning (Brisbane Roar), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Matthew Foschini (Melbourne Victory), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Jason Hoffman (Melbourne Heart), Marko Jesic (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Brisbane Roar), Brad McDonald (Central Coast Mariners), Dylan McGowan (Gold Coast United), Daniel Mullen (Adelaide United), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Dimitrios Petratos (Sydney FC), Sebastian Ryall (Sydney FC), Mathew Ryan (gk) (Central Coast Mariners), Adam Taggart (Perth Glory).

The purpose of the camp for Australia-based stars is for Osieck and Vidmar to have a first-hand look at players who have the potential to play for the Socceroos and Olyroos, Football Federation Australia said.

In a similar vein to the training camp held in Germany this year, Osieck is excited about the prospect of working with domestic players who may be in line for selection for the Socceroos.

“The main aim of this camp is to have a closer look at the players that we have been monitoring from within the A-League,” Osieck said.

“It is important for us to have a personal look at these players to see if they are potential candidates to join the Socceroos for our qualification campaign.

“With such a long campaign, we are always looking for more depth to our squad and it’s logical to see if these players from the A-League can provide that depth.

“We held a similar camp in Duisburg earlier this year which was very beneficial and we will be looking to have similar camps in the future.”

With the next AFC Asian qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympics against Iraq and Uzbekistan in late November, Vidmar will also be using this opportunity to assess potential additions to his squad.

“We have added a number of players in this camp who are eligible for the Olympic qualifiers that have not been involved in our campaign so far,” Vidmar said.

“This camp is a good opportunity for us to work with those players to see if they can offer anything different to the current group of players.”

The Australian U23s will travel to Qatar next month to face Iraq in the third round of the Olympic Asian qualifiers on 23 November.

They will then travel back to Australia to face Uzbekistan four days later at Parramatta Stadium.

Selected players: Terry Antonis (Sydney), Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart), Luke Brattan (Brisbane), Zenon Caravella (Adelaide), Ivan Franjic (Brisbane), Sam Gallagher (Central Coast), Eugene Galekovic (Adelaide), Antony Golec (Adelaide), Rostyn Griffiths (Central Coast), Ryan Griffiths (Newcastle), Ben Halloran (Gold Coast), Brendan Hamill (Melb Heart), Jason Hoffman (Melb Heart), James Jeggo (Melb Victory), Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle), Adrian Leijer (Melb Victory), Bradley McDonald (Central Coast), Tahj Minniecon (Gold Coast), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane), Erik Paartalu (Brisbane), Dimitri Petratos (Sydney), Joshua Risdon (Perth) Josh Rose (Central Coast), Mathew Ryan (Central Coat, Milan Susak (Adelaide), Matt Smith (Brisbane), Adam Taggart (Perth), Michel Theoklitos (Brisbane), Archie Thompson (Melb Victory), Michael Thwaite (Gold Coast), David Williams (Melb Heart).

Iraq has been ordered to play all its home games of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2012 London Olympics qualifiers at a neutral venue after a ban on playing on Iraqi territory.

In a letter sent to the Iraq Football Association, FIFA cited general security concerns as well as the Iraq versus Jordan international match, which was played in Arbil on September 2 at the Franco Hariri Stadium, saying the official report emphasised clearly that the security conditions were not respected.

The letter also added that no qualifying matches of the World Cup and Olympic football tournament shall take place in Iraq until further notice and all Iraq matches will be relocated to a neural venue.

Iraq will have to nominate a neutral ground in Asia for the World Cup qualifiers by October 1 and those for the Olympics qualifiers by October 3.

Iraq is third in Group A of the World Cup qualifiers with three points from two matches, three adrift of Jordan and behind China on goal difference after two rounds.

In the Olympics qualifiers, Iraq lost its Group B opener to Uzbekistan 2-0 in midweek. Its next match at home against Australia on November 23 will have to be played at a neutral venue.

Vidmar wants his Olyroos to be bolstered by overseas players after a scoreless draw against United Arab Emirates in Adelaide on Wednesday night.

The draw was the first of six matches against UAE, Iraq and Uzbekistan - the winner of the group will book a berth at next year's London Games.

Vidmar's outfit against UAE comprised players from domestic A-League ranks, with overseas stars such as Tommy Oar and Matthew Leckie held by their clubs.

Vidmar said he would again plead with clubs to release their Australians, but believed he had only a "slight chance" of success.

But all Olympic qualifying round matches fall on non-FIFA dates, meaning clubs aren't compelled to release players for national duty.

Vidmar said there were about six eligible Australians playing in Europe who could strengthen the Olyroos.

"We are going to do everything we possibly can to get them but we can't count on it," he said.

"We will be in contact with them very shortly but, because they're non-FIFA dates, it's always going to be a problem."

Vidmar said the Olyroos' away matches in UAE, Iraq and Uzbekistan were the best chance for clubs to release the Australians.

"The only slight chance we have is the travel is not so far from Europe to the Middle East so, if we have any chance, it might be that," he said.

"It's not an easy thing because the clubs don't want to release their players.

"We'll try, we'll have some good communication with them and hopefully get a little bit of luck."

Australia was fortunate to earn one point for the draw against UAE, being outclassed for much of the Hindmarsh Stadium encounter.

"I have still got to be positive that we got a 0-0 result and got a point, we're on the board - it's not exactly what we wanted but that gives us a little bit of hope," he said.

"I'm still confident that we can give it a good shake but, in saying that, we certainly need to play a lot better than we did."

Taking to the social media site within hours of the match, Nichols tweeted: "Sorry every1 for that performance just wasn't good enough the boys are gutted cause we know we can play 100 times better !!!"

Nichols's comments echoed those of his coach, Aurelio Vidmar, who rued his side's inability to find its rhythm against an unpredictable opponent.

"It certainly was a difficult game for us tonight," Vidmar said. "In no way did we get our rhythm. It was quite obvious.

“But in saying that we also have got to look at where we are at in terms of players coming to the end of the pre-season Some have played quite a few minutes in the pre-season, some haven’t."

Nichols had a number of chances to win the match for the home side, pushing his header wide on the half hour mark.

In the 68th-minute, the Brisbane Roar midfielder sent his headed shot straight at UAE keeper Ahmed Mahmoud, after a probing cross from Marko Jesic

Nichols felt compelled to reach out to the fans following a dour match in which both teams struggled to created scoring opportunities.

Australia plays Iraq, which lost 0-2 to Uzbekistan, on 23 November before meeting Uzbekistan four days later at Parramatta Stadium.

"I always thought it would be a tricky one. We got a point so we’ll have to take that and get ready and prepared for the next game against Iraq,” Vidmar said.

The Australian under-23s were fortunate to finish 0-0 when outplayed by their skilful opponentsat Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium.

One of a dozen Asian nations seeking three berths at next year's Games, Australia missed a chance to secure valuable home points in the first of six matches against UAE, Iraq and Uzbekistan.

The visitors dominated the opening half and perplexed the Olyroos with a series of attacking forays, most featuring Ahmed Kalil, a striker who won the 2008 Asian Young Footballer of the Year award.

The skilful Kalil blasted a 25m left-footed shot just wide in the 31st minute which had Australian goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne beaten.

Three minutes later the 20-year-old Kalil, who has scored nine goals from 25 appearances in UAE's senior side, found the net from metres out only to be ruled offside.

But the visitors' best chance came a minute later when Australia captain Oliver Bozanic inexplicably lost control of the ball in defence and gifted Ali Ahmed a free run at goal.

But the UAE midfielder hesitated near the penalty spot, allowing Bozanic to make amends with a desperate diving tackle which spilled the ball over the goal line.

Australia had two gilt-edged chances to turn the tide in the second half, both courtesy of influential midfielder Mitch Nichols.

Nichols failed to latch on to a close range header opportunity from a prime Aziz Behich cross in the 59th minute.

But just 10 minutes later Nichols connected sweetly with a diving header - only for the attempt to land in the hands of goalkeeper Adel Mohamed.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar said his side's "performance was not up to scratch"

"It was certainly a difficult night for us," he said.

"We just struggled all night, even to control the ball.

"We couldn't find our rhythm for whatever reason ... maybe it was a little bit of nerves because we started very jittery."

The group winner will book a berth at the London Games.

Runners-up in each of the three Asian groups play a three-way round-robin tournament with the winner playing an African nation to advance to the Games.

Vidmar's team hosts United Arab Emirates at Adelaide's Hindmarsh Stadium as 12 Asian nations begin jostling for coveted Olympic spots.

The Olyroos meet UAE, Iraq and Uzbekistan in home and away matches culminating next March.

"It's really important that you start with a home win," Vidmar told reporters on Tuesday.

"If we can win all our home games, that will obviously put us in a pretty good position when we go away.

"They're not easy games, it's a very very difficult group ... but I'm very confident that this (Olyroos) group can qualify."

Vidmar said the Olyroos' training camp in Adelaide for the past week lifted his confidence.

"We really haven't missed a beat to be honest, so I have been really pleased with the whole preparation," he said.

"Our group as a whole is what is going to get us through, we have got a lot of good players in key areas ... they're extra eager to get themselves to London."

Vidmar said UAE would be a difficult opponent but he was more focused on playing to Australia's strengths.

"We don't want to pay too much focus on them, and really focus on what we need to do," he said.

"If we can play the way I know we can play, we'll create a lot of chances and hopefully be on the right side of putting a few in the back of the net."

Australia, Japan and Korea Republic are favoured to win outright Asian qualification berths for the Olympics.

Nations are divided into three groups of four with winners advancing to London.

Runners-up in each group play a three-way round-robin tournament, with the winner playing an African nation to advance to the Games.

Vidmar has selected his squad solely from the ranks of the A-League, with 13 members who were part of the squad that defeated Yemen 7-0 on aggregate over two legs in the second round of qualifying in June.

Coming into the squad for the first time for the current campaign are local Adelaide United defender Daniel Mullen, along with Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), James Brown (Gold Coast United), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC) and Ben Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets).

Vidmar knows that the opening match against UAE will set the scene for the rest of the qualification campaign.

“Under this competition format, it is very important to get off to a positive start, especially when playing at home,” said Vidmar.

“We will have a good ten days preparation in the lead up to the match which will include a training match against a South Australian select team (on 12 September).

“With all the squad currently in pre-season with their clubs, we are going to have to work hard to ensure that we are match fit by game time.

“But I am confident that the players that have been selected will be up to the challenge and they will be ready for the campaign ahead,” concluded Vidmar.

The kick-off time for the match has also now been amended to 8:00pm ACST and will be broadcast live and exclusive on Fox Sports.

The Olyroos have been drawn alongside Iraq, Uzbekistan, and UAE in Group B of the third round of the Asian Qualifiers.

The winner of each group from the third round will automatically progress to next year’s Olympic Games. The three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a play-off tournament for the right to playoff against an African team for another spot at the Games.

Olyroos squad: Aziz Behich (Melbourne Heart), Mark Birighitti (Adelaide United), Oliver Bozanic (Central Coast Mariners), James Brown (Gold Coast United), Kofi Danning (Brisbane Roar), Mate Dugandzic (Melbourne Heart), Diogo Ferreira (Melbourne Victory), Matthew Foschini (Melbourne Victory), Rhyan Grant (Sydney FC), Jason Hoffman (Melbourne Heart), Marko Jesic (Newcastle Jets), Benjamin Kantarovski (Newcastle Jets), Matthew Jurman (Brisbane Roar), Daniel Mullen (Adelaide United), Scott Neville (Perth Glory), Mitch Nichols (Brisbane Roar), Andrew Redmayne (Brisbane Roar), Sebastian Ryall (Sydney FC).

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar is looking forward to kicking off his team’s campaign with a good start on home soil.

“The results of our home matches will have a large bearing on whether we qualify for the 2012 London Olympic Games, so it is extremely important for us to get a positive start in our first match against the UAE,” Vidmar said.

“Personally, I have plenty of great memories here at Hindmarsh Stadium, so it is a great advantage for us to play our opening match of the third round here in Adelaide.

“We’ll also have a good 10-day training camp in Adelaide in the lead-up to the match to make sure we are fully prepared to start our campaign,” Vidmar said.

South Australia's Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing, Tom Kenyon, was proud that Hindmarsh Stadium was chosen to host the opening match of qualification campaign.

“This game will be the first step in ensuring that this team will be able to represent Australia in the men’s football competition at next year’s London Olympics,” he said.

“The last time we saw the Olyroos in Adelaide was back in May, 2007 in a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics when they downed Iran 3-1 in front of more than 6,300 spectators, so let’s hope we see a similar result next month.”

The venues and kick-off times for the remaining matches of the campaign are expected to be confirmed by the AFC in the near future.

Asia is allotted three-and-a-half slots for the London 2012 Olympic Gamers men’s football tournament.

The winner of each group from the third round will automatically progress to next year’s Olympic Games.

The three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a play-off at a centralised venue from 25 to 29 March, 2012, and the winner of this group will then meet the representatives of CAF (Africa) for a berth at the Olympic Games.

Ticketing details for the match will be released shortly.

The 20-year-old goalkeeper, who spent four years at Liverpool without ever making a first team appearance, has side-stepped interest from Wellington Phoenix, preferring to remain in England where he also had a loan spell at Accrington Stanley two years back.

Competing for a starting role at the London 2012 Olympics with Brisbane Roar’s Andrew Redmayne, Oldham’s Alex Cisak, Borussia Dortmund’s Mitch Langerak, Coventry’s Daniel Ireland and Australia Under-20s keeper Mark Birighitti, Bouzanis came close to signing for Melbourne Victory earlier this month, going so far as to say on Twitter that a deal had been done.

But kick-starting his stalled career in England is now the priority for the keeper released by Liverpool last May with a year of his contract still to run.

“Dean has been there (in Blackpool) for six days now being watched by the club’s coach Ian Holloway and I’m confident he will have done enough to land a deal,” the source said.

“He wants very much to stay and play in Europe , that’s where his mind is right now.

“He opted to leave Liverpool because he didn’t see a himself progressing there, even though he had done well in the reserves.

“Blackpool is a big club. They are looking to bounce straight back to the Premier League and there is a back-up spot available after they let a couple of keepers go (Paul Rachubka and Richard Kingson).

Bouzanis got game time in the Olyroos’ London 2012 eliminator against Yemen in June, replacing Redmayne for the 4-0 second leg win against Yemen at Bluetongue Stadium.

“He’s gone through a little bit of a tough time, but that happens to every player at some stage and I really feel that looking ahead he and Mitch will be the best we have out there once there is a changing of the guard,” he said.

But national goalkeepers coach Tony Franken, who worked with Bouzanis in June with the Olyroos, takes a broader brush.

Cisak, who starred for League Two Accrington last season, is near the top of a list which also includes the previously injured Ireland, Redmayne, the in-form Birighitti and even Central Coast rookie Matthew Ryan.

“I’ve monitored Dean for a while and while he has great promise, he needs to get himself a club and get himself playing regularly,” Franken said.

“He has all the attributes you look for but there is nothing that beats actual game time, and that’s the issue facing him and also a few of the other contenders.

“There really is a lot of competition at Olyroos level looking forward to the next round of qualifiers in September.”

The Olyroos were handed a draw from hell in their bid to qualify for next year's football tournament.

Uzbekistan, Iraq and United Arab Emirates will provide Vidmar's under-23 side with a stern test but the coach is hoping that the side's attacking instincts will be decisive.

”Our ability in the front third to create chances is probably something that I'm really excited about,” Vidmar told The World Game.

”This comes naturally to a lot of the players.

”When you look at people like Rocco Visconte, Mitch Nicholls, Aaron Mooy, Oliver Bozanic and Jason Hoffman, I just feel that this is our real strength.

”I'd like to think that our attacking play is our major asset.

”There is still plenty of work to do, but I could see signs in the Japan game (3-1 loss) and the two games with Yemen (7-0 aggregate win) that give me a lot of confidence.

”I think we have got a very talented group, actually. I am excited and really enjoying working with some very good individuals.

”They are very professional and I just love their attitude.

”This, of course, does not guarantee success but it gives you a very solid foundation.”

Asian qualifying for the Olympics is down to the last 12 teams that are split into three round-robin groups.

The three winners will go through automatically and the three runners-up will face each other in another round-robin, the winner of which will meet the fourth-placed African team for a spot in the Games.

Australia's first game is at home to Iraq on September 21 at a venue yet to be determined.

Vidmar said the prospect of playing in an Olympic Games in the mother country should serve as an extra incentive for his players.

”I'm sure the boys would relish the opportunity to play in an Olympics, especially in London,” Vidmar said.

”It certainly is a fantastic opportunity.

”However, I don't think that Paul Okon (his assistant) and I will have any problems getting these players motivated.

”They will all be very keen to play and do well.”

The venues for the 2012 Olympic football tournament are Wembley Stadium in London, Old Trafford in Manchester, Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, St James's Park in Newcastle, City of Coventry Stadium in Coventry and Hampden Park in Glasgow.

The Olyroos, however, have their work cut out to qualify, and will then have to take things one step at a time if they are to get anywhere near winning Australia's first Olympics football medal.

How different things might be for the Olyroos if they could be sure of fielding their strongest eligible team.

But coach Aurelio Vidmar acknowledges he will have a battle convincing clubs to let go of his overseas-based stars, including K-League defender Luke De Vere, Dutch-based Tommy Oar, English trio Rhys Williams, Shane Lowry and Chris Herd, Scottish Premier League players Aaron Mooy and Ryan McGowan, and Borussia Monchengladbach signing Matthew Leckie.

Vidmar has faith in his A-League players, led by captain Oliver Bozanic, his Central Coast team-mate Mustafa Amini, Brisbane Roar pair Mitch Nichols and Rocco Visconte, and Melbourne Heart striker Jason Hoffman, who banged in five goals in the two-leg qualifier against Yemen in June.

"We will certainly do our utmost to get the strongest possible squad, but we'll have these problems throughout the campaign," said Vidmar.

"We've still got extremely capable players in the A-League.

"I am confident they can do the job."

The Olyroos will start favourites to win their final Asian qualifying group but need to finish on top to be sure of going to next year's Olympics.

Their biggest stumbling block will be Iraq, who dumped them in the quarter-finals of the Athens 2004 Games.

If they finish second, they must fight for a spot in a further play-off round at the end of March.

They have reached the Olympic quarter-finals three times before, but could be hard-pressed to repeat that achievement, let alone match the fourth place Eddie Thomson's 1992 squad managed.

Their female counterparts, by contrast, are on a roll after winning the Asian title for the first time in 2010, then reaching the World Cup quarter-finals for the second consecutive time at Germany's 2011 event.

The youthful Matildas, captained by goalkeeper Melissa Barbieri, contain seven teenagers and 11 players who are 21 or under.

They boast Sydney FC strikers 16-year-old Caitlin Foord, who was awarded the Best Young Player trophy at the World Cup and 20-year-old Kyah Simon, the first indigenous player to score at a World Cup for Australia.

Add to them the impressive Ellyse Perry, another Sydney 20-year-old, who is the only woman to have played in both football and cricket World Cups for Australia.

Perry scored one of the goals of the 2011 World Cup in the 3-1 quarter-final loss to Sweden.

Coach Tom Sermanni must steer his team to a top-two finish at Asia's final six-team qualifying league in September.

The Matildas, now ranked 11 in the world, have only made it to the Olympics twice before and never gone beyond the quarter-finals.

But they are confident of bettering that in England.

Australia’s U-23 men’s side has been drawn in a tricky group for the third round of the AFC qualifiers for the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Drawn into Group B, Aurelio Vidmar’s side will play Iraq, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“It’s tough. A challenge. But all the groups are hard so that’s the way it is and now we’ll see how we go,” Vidmar said.

“The first thing we will do is have a look at the DVD’s of the team’s from the last round of qualifiers to start our preparation process.

The head coach said he squad is likely to be weighted more heavily with A-League players as the match days fall on non-FIFA dates, although some overseas-based players will be used where possible.

“We will certainly do our best to get the strongest possible squad for every match," Vidmar said.

“In the next week we will also sit down with FFA management and map out our campaign schedule which will include training camps and where we will play our home matches.”

The Olyroos will face the UAE in their first match in September. The time and venue are still to be determined.

Group A: Korea Republic, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman.

Group B: AUSTRALIA, Iraq, Uzbekistan, UAE.

Group C: Japan, Bahrain, Syria, Malaysia.

The twelve AFC teams remaining in contention will play home and away matches against group rivals. Asia is allotted 3.5 slots for the 2012 London Olympics football tournament. The winners of each group will qualify for the London Olympics while the runners-up of each group will qualify for the play-off.

The match days are: Match Day 1: 21 September 2011 (Wednesday), Match Day 2: 23 November 2011 (Wednesday), Match Day 3: 27 November 2011 (Sunday), Match Day 4: 5 February 2012 (Sunday), Match Day 5: 22 February 2012 (Wednesday), Match Day 6: 14 March 2012 (Wednesday).

The Olyroos accounted for Yemen 7-0, on aggregate, with a 3-0 win in Gosford last Sunday and 4-0 in Newcastle on Thursday.

Newcastle born Jason Hoffman, who made his A-League debut with the Jets and plies his trade with Melbourne Heart as a striker, weighed in with five goals - a hat-trick on Thursday - to give the Aussies a comfortable passage in the two-legged tie.

Before his flurry of Olympic qualification goals, Hoffman had had a barren A-League career, netting just twice in 41 matches.

"As a striker scoring goals gives you a lot of confidence," said Hoffman.

"It's just what I needed because after the A-League season, I didn't have a good year at all."

After Thursday's match, Vidmar was relaxed and somewhat confident the Australian-based boys will get the job done and qualify for the Olympics.

Australia, Korea Republic and Japan have been seeded into the next round which begins in September.

The three Asian Football Confederation heavyweights head up the three groups of four to play a home-and-away series. The winner of each group will head to London for the 2012 Olympics, while one of the teams finishing second have a second chance at qualification.

"I've been really happy with everyone," said Vidmar.

"The majority of the players will be (from the) A-League. We will try and get the strongest squad possible."

Scottish Premier League midfielder Aaron Mooy is one of several overseas players Vidmar is hopeful will be available to bolster an already-impressive squad.

Mooy played the second half in Gosford and the full game in Newcastle, scoring the fourth goal to complete the Olyroos' whitewash of Yemen.

Having only played 14 matches for St Mirren, Mooy was ecstatic to get some game time, but has yet to discuss with manager Darren Lennon the next phase.

"I'm happy with my performance but more happy that we got through. That was the important thing," Mooy told AAP.

"I haven't spoken to him (Lennon) yet. We'll see what happens. Hopefully they will (release me) because I enjoy playing for Australia.

"Me and the manager are pretty tight."

The Olyroos claimed the two-legged tie 7-0 on aggregate after beating Yemen 3-0 at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium on Sunday in the first leg.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar made two changes to his starting side from Sunday's match, bringing in midfielder Aaron Mooy for Isaka Cernak and shot-stopper Dean Bouzanis for Andrew Redmayne.

Newcastle-born Hoffman bagged a first-half brace with two superb headers, the first coming after a Rocco Visconte free kick on 18 minutes.

Mooy was the provider for Hoffman's second goal on the half hour, chipping Yemen's goalkeeper Shukri Abdullah for Hoffman to head home.

Hoffman, having only scored twice in the A-League, scored again in the second half to take his Olyroos tally to five after twice finding the back of the net in Gosford.

Mooy, who has played 14 times in the Scottish Premier League for St Mirren, extended Australia's advantage to 4-0 in the 68th minute with a left-foot drive from half-time substitute Cernak's cross.

The Olyroos dominated the game and could have had at least another two goals before the break, with Marko Jesic twice spraying shots wide at the near post.

Olyroos line-up: 18. Dean Bouzanis (gk), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 4. Matthew Jurman (3. Ryan McGowan 62’), 5. Aziz Behich, 6. Oliver Bozanic (c), 8. Aaron Mooy, 9. Jason Hoffman, 10. Mitch Nichols (13. Diogo Ferreira 46’), 11. Rocco Visconte, 12. Marko Jesic (7. Isaka Cernak 46’), 14. Matthew Foschini.

"The objective was to get to the next stage so we're pleased with that," Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar said.

"Once the first goal came in it was really all over, we controlled the game again, but we could have had a few more."

Australia, Korea and Japan have been seeded into the next round and will head up the three groups of four to play a home-and-away series.

The winners of each group will head to London for the 2012 Olympics, while the second-placed teams get another chance through a play-off system.

Player availability is likely to be a key challenge for Australia in the next round.

"We are in a situation where they are all non FIFA dates," Vidmar said.

"So the majority of the players will be A-League (players) because they can be released but the boys playing overseas, that's going to be touch and go."

Australia's under 23s need only to seal an aggregate win at Newcastle's Bluetongue Stadium to progress to the next phase of Asian qualifying for next year's London Olympics.

And Vidmar said his young players had shown enough maturity since arriving in camp to suggest they can finish off the job without hassle.

"2-0 or more is always a bit of a scary scoreline but I think these kids are mature enough," Vidmar said on Wednesday.

" ... Most of these boys have been in these positions before, they've been in the under 17s or 20s and come up through tournaments, so they understand the dangers of this game.

"That's the coaching staff's job too, to make sure that they're motivated and don't take their foot off the pedal.

"Because we all know, if we concede one goal, then everything's up for grabs again."

Vidmar was delighted with how his young players had approached the two-legged tie, played solely in Australia because of the political unrest in Yemen.

"They've been the perfect son-in-laws you could say," Vidmar said.

" ... It's not easy being in the camp for two weeks because at some stages living together it gets a little bit testy, but the mood has fantastic.

"It's never easy also for the guys who don't get to start and are sitting on the bench but they've been the main ones who have been sparky and positive."

Vidmar kept his selection cards close to his chest, saying he would wait until after Wednesday night's final training session before deciding with to stick with the same starting side from Sunday's first leg win in Gosford.

He hoped Australia could put its Middle Eastern opponent to the sword after several chances went begging in the first match.

The winner of the tie earns a spot in the next phase of qualifying, where 12 Asian teams are split into three groups of four.

The winners of each group qualify directly for the London Games while the second-placed teams get another chance through a play-off system.

Fielding a starting side made up entirely of locally based players, Australia dominated proceedings in the first leg of the preliminary round tie.

Striker Jason Hoffman scored twice and midfielder Mitch Nichols once to give Australia a large buffer to take into the second leg in Newcastle on Thursday.

With Isaka Cernak and Nichols making the play from midfield and Hoffman providing an aerial threat, Australia dictated terms against a side restricted to sporadic counter-attacks.

The Olyroos had several off-target shots before Hoffman headed home a Sebastian Ryall cross in the 14th minute.

Skipper Oliver Bozanic hit the crossbar with a free kick, as Australia had nine attempts on goal before Yemen's first shot was saved by Andrew Redmayne on the half-hour.

Australia continued to dominate in the second half, but struggled to produce telling passes into the penalty area.

Marko Jesic had a shot well saved and substitute Aaron Mooy hit the bar.

Nichols added a second in the 67th minute with a close-range shot from a Hoffman cross, and Hoffman netted a third in time added-on.

Yemen had a couple of late chances, but rarely troubled Redmayne.

Olyroos line-up: 1. Andrew Redmayne (gk), 2. Sebastian Ryall, 4. Matthew Jurman, 5. Aziz Behich, 6. Oliver Bozanic (c), 7. Isaka Cernak (8.Aaron Mooy 46’), 9. Jason Hoffman, 10. Mitch Nichols (17. Kofi Danning 79’), 11. Rocco Visconte (16. Mustafa Amini 72’), 14. Marko Jesic, 20. Matthew Foschini.

Olyroos' coach Aurelio Vidmar stopped short of saying the tie was over, but declared he was very happy with the result.

"It could have been more to be honest. We missed some really easy chances and their goalkeeper made some outstanding saves as well," Vidmar told reporters.

"We're pleased with that and now we'll hopefully go to Newcastle and finish it off.

"A lot of people said (our) fitness was going to be an issue and that was certainly not the case. They ran out the 90 minutes without a problem.

"I still think they are a dangerous side because they are certainly unpredictable.

"They put up a good fight, which we expected, so we'll expect the same again on Thursday."

Yemen coach Abraham Mebratu was angry Hoffman's late goal was allowed by the Chinese referee.

"When they scored the third goal, one of the Australian players committed a foul on our striker," Mebratu said.

He said his players' match fitness was weak, as they had not played any recent international friendlies and were out of season with their domestic competition.

"We were supposed to play at home but because of the political situation and the security we cannot play there, so we lose a great advantage," Mebratu said.

"Australia have a very good team, well organised with very good experience and a very good standard. The football standard between Yemen and Australia is a big difference.

"We were competitive in this match and we'll get ready for the next match to achieve more than today's result."

The winner of the tie advances to the group stage, from which three teams will automatically represent Asia at next year's London Olympics.

A squad comprised mainly of locally-based players will contest the preliminary round two tie on Sunday and in Newcastle on Thursday.

Yemen defeated Singapore 3-0 on aggregate in is first round tie in March.

That tie was played in the UAE and concerns over security in Yemen led to both legs of the second round game being staged in Australia.

Yemen arrived in Australia on Friday and had a training run on Bluetongue Stadium scheduled for Saturday.

Olyroos goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne said his team had limited knowledge of Yemen, which Australian coach Aurelio Vidmar described as a typical Middle Eastern side.

"They will play rather defensively from what we've seen, they will select five at the back and then try and catch us with a very direct kind of passing," Redmayne said.

"Mostly just try and catch us on the counter attack ... we have to be on our game the whole 90 minutes and be very disciplined in our structure and our play."

Vidmar said Australia would have to pay close attention to Yemen's counter attacks, as it was an area in which the Olyroos had been exposed in previous games.

"We can't be exposed as we have been, that's something we've worked on as well during the course of this week," Vidmar said.

In lead-up matches earlier this month, Australia lost 3-1 away to Japan and beat Singapore 6- 0 in Blacktown.

The 12 winners of the second round qualifiers over the next week will then be divided into three groups of four teams.

The three group winners from home and away matches to be played between September 2011 and March 2012 will advance to the Olympics.

The Olyroos face the Middle Eastern nation in Gosford on Sunday with the second leg played in Newcastle four days later.

Heavy rain around the NSW Central Coast forced a practice match against Singapore last Sunday to be rescheduled to Sydney two days later.

A further dump of rain then forced Vidmar's players to train indoors on Wednesday.

It has meant a far-from-ideal preparation, with the vast majority of players already lacking in recent match play as they are attached to A-League clubs.

"It's not ideal going into these games without being in season, but that's what we've got," Vidmar told reporters via teleconference on Thursday.

"But I certainly don't feel that there's going to be a problem physically, they are in really good shape."

Vidmar described Yemen as a typical Middle Eastern side and was wary of being exposed on the counter attack.

"They are very, very good individuals, quick, they like to play the game a little bit direct and they have a lot of players running forward," Vidmar said.

"That's certainly one area that we will have to play really close attention to, we can't be exposed as we have been.

"That's something we've worked on as well during the course of this week."

A toe injury has forced Gold Coast's Tahj Minniecon out of the squad and Mirjan Pavlovic is also unavailable, with Vidmar calling up Central Coast's Sam Gallagher and Matthew Fletcher from English club Sunderland as cover.

Goals from Kofi Danning and Aaron Mooy put the Olyroos two up at half-time.

Jason Hoffman made it 3-0 while Marko Jesic chimed in to add a fourth.

Substitute Mustafa Amini fired a rocket into the top right hand corner of the goal for Australia's fifth before Aziz Behich rounded off the scoring with the last kick of the game.

Olyroos starting XI: Dean Bouzanis; Matthew Foschini, Sebastian Ryall, Matthew Jurman, Aziz Behich; Kofi Danning, Oliver Bozanic (c), Aaron Mooy, Marko Jesic, Jason Hoffman, Rocco Visconte.

Next up for the Olyroos is the two-legged 2012 London Olympics Asian Qualifiers against Yemen.

The first leg is this Sunday, 19 June at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford, before the second leg on Thursday 23 June at Ausgrid Stadium, Newcastle.

The Olyroos had been due to use the match at Bluetongue Stadium as a tune-up for their two-legged Olympic qualifier against Yemen on June 19 and 23.

The circumstances that led to this decision being made by FIFA began on 30 March when the draw was conducted at AFC House.

When it was learned that Australia's U-23 side was to face Yemen in the two-legged fixture, FFA received advice from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that it was not advisable to travel to Yemen due to the exceptional security concerns currently associated with travel to that country.

Due to this advice, FFA made an offer to the Yemen FA for FFA to host both matches in Australia, which the Yemen FA agreed to. This mutual agreement was then subsequently ratified by FIFA.

Olyroos head coach Aurelio Vidmar was very pleased that a satisfactory resolution had been made in regard to the scheduling of these important matches.

"Obviously we are really happy with this outcome in light of the current situation in Yemen," said Vidmar.

"It was always our preference to play both matches in Australia to avoid unnecessary travel where possible.

"FFA has done a tremendous job in negotiating this outcome and we thank Yemen for agreeing to this offer."

In addition, Vidmar has also announced his 21-player squad that will be involved in these two matches.

Led by Central Coast local Oliver Bozanic, 17 members of the squad recently toured Japan to play a friendly match against the Japanese U-23 National Team in Niigata.

Scottish-based midfielder Aaron Mooy is an addition to the squad along with Young Socceroos Mustafa Amini, Kofi Danning and goalkeeper Mark Birighitti.

Vidmar believes that the squad that he has selected will be able to get the result need to progress to the next stage of the competition.

"I was really pleased with elements of our recent trip to Japan, but there are still parts to work on," he said.

"Aaron Mooy comes into the squad to help bolster our midfield, Mark Birighitti was a late inclusion for Alex Cisak who got injured recently and Musti and Kofi were added to give us a couple of extra creative and attacking options.

“We will have a good week in camp with a training match against Singapore I believe that we will be ready for Yemen."

The Olyroos need to win these two matches on aggregate to progress to the next round of qualification which sees the 12 winners from Round 2 divided into three groups of four teams each.

The teams in each group will then play in a home-and-away format from 21 September 2011, to 14 March 14, 2012, with the winner of each group directly qualifying for the London 2012 Olympic Games Football competition.

The three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a play-off at a centralised venue from 25 to 29 March, 2012, and the winner of this group will meet the representatives of CAF (Africa) for a berth in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

The Olyroos will assemble in camp on Friday 10 June and will play a behind closed doors training match against Singapore on Sunday 12 June in the lead up to the two matches against Yemen.

Ticketing details for the Preliminary Round 2 - 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualification Matches between the Olyroos and Yemen will be announced shortly.

Olyroos squad:

Mustafa Amini - Central Coast Mariners
Aziz Behich - Melbourne Heart
Mark Birighitti (gk) - Adelaide United
Dean Bouzanis (gk) - uncontracted
Oliver Bozanic - Central Coast Mariners
Isaka Cernak - Melbourne Victory
Kofi Danning - uncontracted
Diogo Ferreira - Melbourne Victory
Matthew Foschini - Melbourne Victory
Jason Hoffman - Melbourne Heart
Marko Jesic - Newcastle Jets
Matthew Jurman - Brisbane Roar
Ryan McGowan - Hearts FC, Scotland
Tahj Minniecon - Gold Coast United
Aaron Mooy - St Mirren, Scotland
Scott Neville - Perth Glory
Mitch Nichols - Brisbane Roar
Mirjan Pavlovic - Wellington Phoenix
Andrew Redmayne (gk) - Brisbane Roar
Sebastian Ryall - Sydney FC
Rocco Visconte - Brisbane Roar

Brisbane Roar's Mitch Nichols got the Olyroos off to a perfect start when he scored in the fourth minute after a quick counter attack at the Tohoki Denryoku Bigswan Stadium in Niigata, Japan.

The Australian side looked sharp after the goal, dominating the midfield and creating numerous chances.

But it was unable to capitalise on its opportunities and on the stroke of half-time Kensuke Nagai made the side pay with an equaliser.

In the 50th minute Japan went close when Hiroshi Kiyotake's shot hit the post.

Former Liverpool reserve goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who came on for Andrew Redmayne at half-time, was left rooted to the ground as he watched the shot hit the crossbar.

Soon after Bouzanis was again in the action when defender Ryan McGowan headed the ball back to the keeper.

But the pass was intercepted by Nagai, who flicked his shot over the on-rushing Bouzanis to give him a double and make the score 2-1.

Nagai then turned provider with five minutes to go when his inch-perfect cross found the unmarked Yuya Osako at the edge of the 16-yard box and he hit a neat volley to put the result beyond doubt.

The Olyroos take on Yemen in Olympic qualifiers on June 19 and 23.

Olyroos line up: Andrew Redmayne (gk) (Dean Bouzanis (gk) 46'), Ryan McGowan, Matthew Jurman, Aziz Behich, Oliver Bozanic (c), Isaka Cernak (Golgol Mebrahtu 64'), Rocco Visconte, Matthew Foschini, Jason Hoffman (Mirjan Pavlovic 88'), Mitchell Nichols, Marko Jesic (Diogo Ferreira 75').

Bouzanis, 20, left the English top-flight club after three-and-a-half years with a year left on his contract, a move he hoped would help ensure an Olyroos spot ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

And with coach Aurelio Vidmar on Wednesday including the goalkeeper in his 19-man squad to take on Japan's under-23 national side in Niigata next week, Bouzanis now feels his decision is justified.

"I'm stoked. It's always an honour to represent Australia at any level and I'm grateful to be selected because wearing the green and gold is what I really want to do," Bouzanis told AAP on Wednesday.

"Yeah of course it has (justified my decision).

"It was always going to be a difficult decision to walk away with a year left on my contract but it was a risk I was willing to take for the benefit of my career.

"So it's definitely great to be selected for the Olyroos because it's a chance to play for my country and it's also an opportunity to show what I've got."

The 1 June clash at Tohoku Denryoku Bigswan Stadium will serve as the Olyroos' final test before they take on Yemen in Olympic qualifiers on 19 and 23 June.

And Bouzanis feels the match will be a good barometer for the squad's form.

"Obviously Japan is a top-quality team, but wherever we go we want to win," he said.

"It's a good opportunity to show what Australia's got and it's a good opportunity to see where we're at.

"I think if we go there and do what we know we can do, we'll get a result - we aren't scared of anybody."

Having returned to Australia after his time spent abroad, Bouzanis feels the A-League has come along in leaps and bounds.

And with 16 of the 19 players selected for next week's match line-up hailing from A-League clubs, the former Sydney FC trainee said it was proof the competition had improved.

"I think soccer in Australia has improved dramatically in the last couple of years," Bouzanis said.

"I think this Olyroos team is a very strong Olyroos team, so it just shows how the A-League has progressed."

The Olympic hopeful, who is currently looking for club, hasn't ruled out a future stint in the domestic competition.

"At the moment I'm going to go back overseas and try to secure a spot in Europe," he said.

"I'll never rule out a move to the A-League because it's a good stepping stone but I want to try to secure a spot in Europe if I can first and foremost.

"There's a few clubs that we're talking to in England.

"But I'm just really focussing on the Australian squad at the moment, but I'm confident there'll be clubs over there for me."

Hearts midfielder Ryan McGowan is the only overseas-based player in the travelling party.

The match will be a curtain-raiser before the Kirin Cup match between Japan and Peru.

“We finished our local camps well and made plenty of progress but we still have a little way to go in terms of our match fitness," Vidmar said.

“This match against the Japanese, who are a quality team, will show us where we are at and what we need to work on.

“Following this tour we will make the necessary adjustments in time for our Olympic qualification matches against Yemen."

The Olyroos will return to Australia after the 27 May to 3 June camp in Japan ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualifier play-off against Yemen on 19 and 23 June. The home leg is expected to be played in Gosford.

One player excited by his selection is 22-year-old Wellington Phoenix striker Mirjan Pavlovic.

“They were pretty intense but I really enjoyed them and I’m really pleased that the effort I put in has been rewarded.

“I’ve been training with [Olyroos assistant coach] Paul Okon as well as attending the camps and I’m sure it will stand me in good stead when I get back to Wellington.”

Olyroos squad

Aziz Behich - Melbourne Heart
Dean Bouzanis (gk) - uncontracted
Oliver Bozanic - Central Coast Mariners
Isaka Cernak - Melbourne Victory
Diogo Ferreira - Melbourne Victory
Matthew Foschini - Melbourne Victory
Jack Hingert - Dandenong Thunder (VPL)
Jason Hoffman - Melbourne Heart
Marko Jesic - Newcastle Jets
Matthew Jurman - Brisbane Roar
Ryan McGowan - Hearts FC, Scotland
Golgol Mebrahtu - Gold Coast United
Tahj Minniecon - Gold Coast United
Scott Neville - Perth Glory
Mitch Nichols - Brisbane Roar
Mirjan Pavlovic - Wellington Phoenix
Andrew Redmayne (gk) - Brisbane Roar
Sebastian Ryall - Sydney FC
Rocco Visconte - Brisbane Roar

This will be the last Australian-based training camp before both teams head overseas later in the month to continue their respective preparations.

Australia's Olympic team will travel to Japan at the end of the month to play an international friendly match against Japan's U-23 national team in Niigata, while the Australia's U-20 side heads to Europe to train and compete at the Terborg Tournament.

Tom Rogic, Adam Jenner and Ryan Edwards have been added to the squad that gathered in Melbourne last week, as well as goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis, who has departed Liverpool.

Mate Dugandzic returns to the squad after recovering from an injury, but a slight calf strain will prevent Tahj Minniecon from joining the camp and Brian Bran has not been re-selected.

“We have turned the corner in terms of our match fitness after the last camp but, as seen in our training match against Melbourne Victory last week, we are not quite there yet," Vidmar said of his squad.

“Against Victory, our first half was excellent, but we started to tire in the second half. We will need to build on that to be competitive.

“We are at a critical point in our preparations and we will continue to work on our shape and structure.

“The players need to assert themselves next week to guarantee their place on the plane to Japan and then the qualifiers."

Young Socceroos boss Versleijen can now focus his attention on the team's FIFA U-20 World Cup group opponents, after last week's draw pitted Australia against Spain, Costa Rica and Ecuador.

“The past two camps have given me a good idea on the technical and tactical ability of the players and by the end of the second camp I noticed a marked improvement in the group," the Dutchman said.

“This camp will be more decisive and I will be looking to confirm the players for our upcoming tour to Europe which will comprise local and overseas-based players.

“We are getting closer to the World Cup, the players and staff are getting excited about the prospect of playing against the best in the world and the competition for places is getting tougher."

The Olyroos will face Yemen in the second round of the 2012 London Olympic Games Asian qualifiers on 19 and 23 June while the Young Socceroos will compete at the FIFA U-20 World Cup Colombia 2011 which commences on the 29 July.

The match will be a curtain-raiser before the senior men’s international between Japan and Peru.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar understands the value of testing his players against Japan and the gravity of travelling to the Asian nation at this moment in time.

“To play opposition of the calibre of Japan in the lead up to our qualifiers is a fantastic opportunity for us at this stage of our preparations," Vidmar said.

“Japan have a proud football history at youth and senior level, but I am confident that we will be able to match them.

“I have many great memories of my time as a player in Japan (with Sanfreece Hiroshima) so to be able to assist the Japanese team in their recovery after the tragedies that have recently affected them is an honour and privilege,” concluded Vidmar.

The Australian-based Olyroos are currently in Melbourne for a training camp to prepare for the 2012 London Olympic Games Asian qualifiers, where they will face Yemen on 19 and 23 June.

During the camp, the U-23's will play a training match against Melbourne Victory XI on the morning of Friday 29 April with the U-20's will face Melbourne Heart XI in the afternoon.

Perth Glory defender Scott Neville is the only fresh face to the squad that recently gathered at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra, following his trial with English Championship club Portsmouth.

Injuries have ruled out Ben Halloran, Mate Dugandzic and Kliment Taseski from selection while Hertha Berlin's Ante Drazina was not re-selected.

Olyroos boss Vidmar has less than two months to finalise his preparations for the 2012 London Olympic Games Asian Qualifier tie against Yemen, scheduled for 19 and 23 June.

"Following the last camp, we now know where the players are physically and what we need to work on," he said.

“For this camp we will be looking to ramp up the intensity to take our preparations to the next level.

“It will also be a fantastic hit-out against Melbourne Victory to test ourselves at the end of the week."

Versleijen is excited by the chance to work with his group of players again, ahead of the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia that kicks off on 29 July.

“Our first camp was very successful, but we still need to work on the football conditioning," he explained.

“I will also be introducing more tactical work into the training to get the players playing in the way that we want them to play.

“There is not much time left before the selection has to be made, so there is plenty for the boys to play for during these types of camps."

Olyroos and Young Socceroos – Combined Squad List
Melbourne Camp – April 25 to 30

Matthew Acton (gk) - Brisbane Roar; 3/6/1992
Mustafa Amini - Central Coast Mariners; 20/4/1993
Terry Antonis - Sydney FC; 15/11/1993
Eli Babalj - Melbourne Heart; 21/2/1992
Jake Barker-Daish - Gold Coast United; 7/5/1993
Aziz Behich - Melbourne Heart; 16/12/1990
Mark Birighitti (gk) - Adelaide United; 17/4/1991
Brian Bran - Oakleigh Cannons (VPL); 2/3/1991
Oliver Bozanic - Central Coast Mariners; 8/1/1989
Daniel Bowles - Brisbane Roar; 19/10/1991
Sam Gallagher - Central Coast Mariners; 5/5/1991
Jason Geria - AIS; 10/5/1993
Curtis Good - Melbourne Heart; 23/3/1993
Brendan Hamill - Melbourne Heart; 18/9/1992
Jack Hingert - Dandenong Thunder (VPL); 26/9/1990
Jason Hoffman - Melbourne Heart; 28/1/1989
Bernie Ibini-Isei - Central Coast Mariners; 12/9/1992
Marko Jesic - Newcastle Jets; 7/8/1989
Golgol Mebrahtu - Gold Coast United; 28/8/1990
Tahj Minniecon - Gold Coast United; 13/2/1989
Scott Neville - Perth Glory; 11/1/1989
Mitch Nichols - Brisbane Roar; 5/1/1989
Mirjan Pavlovic - Wellington Phoenix; 21/4/1989
Andrew Redmayne (gk) - Brisbane Roar; 13/1/1989
Mathew Ryan (gk) - Central Coast Mariners; 8/4/1992
Trent Sainsbury - Central Coast Mariners; 5/1/1992
James Virgili - Newcastle Jets; 8/7/1992
Rocco Visconte - Brisbane Roar; 22/4/1990

Worried by the lack of match readiness from his home based players Vidmar is keen to enlist Brondby’s breakthrough Socceroos striker Brent McGrath, Greece-based rookie forward Apostolos Giannou, midfielders Aaron Mooy (St Mirren) and Ryan McGowan (Hearts), Sheffield United centre-back Shane Lowry and Accrington Stanley goalkeeper Alex Cisak.

All six impressed Vidmar, who doubles as Socceroos assistant coach, at last month’s camp in Duisburg, Germany, which featured a clutch of emerging youngsters drawn from across Europe.

Vidmar will be penning letters to their clubs seeking releases for what are non-FIFA dates against Yemen, with the home tie at Gosford’s Bluetongue Stadium on June 23 and the return four days later at a venue yet to be finalised in the light of continuing civil unrest in Yemen.

“I am hopeful we can get at least a few of them, it will just depend," Vidmar told The World Game.

"The good thing is that they are all match-hardened playing in Europe whereas the boys are out of season here and to some extent that showed last week where a few of the 31 players we had in (a combined Olyroos and Young Socceroos selection) looked off the pace and hadn’t done a lot to maintain their fitness.

“The match against Yemen means the world to us, quite literally, and we have to be ready and have our strongest possible squad available.

“All six of the boys I’m looking at from overseas clubs really came to the fore in Duisburg and we want them to be involved.”

McGrath, 19, came off the bench for Australia in its shock 2-1 win over Germany last month while Polish-born former Leicester City junior Cisek has been earning rave reviews for Accrington Stanley in England’s League Two.

Mooy, who rejected a contract extension with Bolton in favour of first team football in the SPL with St Mirren, has 10 Young Socceroos caps to his name and is ready to make the step up, according to Vidmar.

Lowry, on loan to the Blades from Aston Villa, has been on the fringes of the Socceroos for some time and will be the cornerstone of the Olyroos defence against Yemen and beyond if Vidmar gets his way.

Meanwhile Greece-born, Melbourne-raised Giannou – on loan at second tier Ethnikos Piraeus - has already been involved in Greek under 19 and under 20 squads but is ready to commit to Australia having started out at under-17 level.

One of the home-based players who did impress Vidmar with his match condition and hunger at the AIS camp was Brisbane Roar rookie Rocky Visconte, who the coach plans to convert from a left midfielder into a left back to fill a void at Olyroos level.

“Rocky was well prepared and is a really good young player,” Vidmar said. “He has a great work ethic and is serious about doing whatever he has to do to improve his game. I hadn’t seen him before and he impressed me.”

Visconte, who returned to Australia last year after an injury-hit spell Scotland wrecked his hopes of a breakthrough at Hearts, has just signed a new two-year deal at the Roar, where coach Ange Postecoglou is helping him hone his craft.

Visconte will be one of 31 players to convene in Melbourne on Monday for a second camp, with Vidmar lining up a duel against Melbourne Victory on Wednesday.

He made only 15 appearances for Roar last season competing for spots against the likes of Matt McKay, Shane Stefanutto and Thomas Broich.

“The great thing for me is that I got through the season without any more injuries and I’m feeling great about the future,” said Visconte, who suffered long-term hip, pelvic and hamstring injuries in Scotland.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar and Young Socceroos coach Jan Versleijen today announced a joint 31-player squad that will go into a training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) in Canberra from the 11-16 April.

The draw took place on Wednesday at AFC House in Kuala Lumpur.

The Australians are scheduled to play the home leg of the tie on 19 June 2011 and the away leg on the 23 June 2011, with venues and kick-off times to be confirmed.

One of the most interesting pairings of the second round sees Iraq matched up with Iran, while other fixtures include Japan meeting Kuwait, DPR Korea facing UAE, Korea Republic playing Jordan and China up against Oman.

Asia is allotted 3.5 slots for the 2012 London Olympics men's football tournament.

The 12 winners from round two will be divided into three groups of four teams in the third round.

Again, a home-and-away format from 21 September 2011 to 14 March, 2012, will determine the winner of each group who will represent the continent in the Olympics.

Three second-placed teams from the third round will clash in a play-off at a centralised venue from March 25 to 29, 2012, and the winner of this group will meet the representative of the African Football Confederation for a berth in the Olympics.

A spokesman from Football Federation Australia said the governing body was seeking advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) before commenting on the draw.

2012 Olympic Games Asian Qualification second round match-ups

AUSTRALIA vs Yemen

Qatar vs India

Iraq vs Iran

Bahrain vs Thailand

Japan vs Kuwait

Syria vs Turkmenistan

DPR Korea vs UAE

Korea Republic vs Jordan

Uzbekistan vs Hong Kong

Saudi Arabia vs Vietnam

China vs Oman

Lebanon vs Malaysia

Meanwhile, the Young Socceroos were drawn in Group G of the qualifiers for the AFC U-19 Championship 2012 along with China, Indonesia, Singapore and Macau.

AFC U-19 Championship Qualifier Groups

Group A: Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Oman, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives

Group B: Bahrain, Jordan, Tajikistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Bhutan

Group C: Uzbekistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan

Group D: UAE, Syria, Yemen, Palestine, Lebanon

Group E: Korea Republic, Japan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Guam, Chinese Taipei

Group F: DPR Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos

Group G: AUSTRALIA, China, Indonesia, Singapore, Macau

The Joeys were also been drawn in Group G of their respective AFC U-16 Championship qualifiers with Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar and Guam.

AFC U-16 Championship Qualifier Groups

Group A: Iraq, Iran, Bangladesh, Qatar, Palestine, Sri Lanka

Group B: UAE, Kuwait, Yemen, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives

Group C: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, India

Group D: Syria, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Lebanon

Group E: DPR Korea, China, Timor Leste, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau

Group F: Japan, Vietnam, Chinese Taipei, Laos, Korea Republic, Cambodia

Group G: AUSTRALIA, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Myanmar, Guam

The win came courtesy of two first-half goals by Melbourne Heart's Jason Hoffman and Gold Coast United's Tahj Minniecon.

Although originally scheduled to meet the Kuwait U-23 national team, a late fixture change saw the Olyroos line-up against the host nation's senior national team for their second match of the competition in front of a vocal home crowd.

The Olyroos didn't waste any time, coming close to scoring as early as the fourth minute when Mitch Nichols had his shot from inside the box well saved by Vietnamese goalkeeper Duong Hong Son.

The first goal of the match was scored in the 19th minute after great dribbling by Minniecon saw him past two defenders, and a pass to Nichols was enough to set-up Hoffman who made no mistake in front of goal.

The Olyroos lead was doubled in the 36th minute following a Vietnam free-kick deep in the Australian defensive third.

Nichols was on hand again to take advantage of the subsequent clearance and played a long pass to Minniecon on the right side who took full advantage of his one-on-one opportunity against the Vietnam shot-stopper.

While Vietnam created a number of chances in the second half the Olyroos held out their hosts to record a well deserved victory.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar believed his team has lifted its performance after a 1-0 loss to DPR Korea on Monday.

"In Monday's match we didn't capitalise on the chances we created. Tonight we again created plenty of chances and in the first half we put away two very good goals," said Vidmar.

"We played very well against a quality opponent and were rewarded for dominating the game.

"I was extremely happy with the work rate of the players at the front and the back," Vidmar said.

In the other match of the tournament, DPR Korea defeated Kuwait 1-0 with An Chol Hyok scoring from the penalty spot.

The win takes DPR Korea to the top of the table on 6 points, with Vietnam and Australia on 3 points and Kuwait on 0 points.

The Olyroos will meet Kuwait in their final match of the tournament on Friday evening.

Olyroos line up: Andrew Redmayne (gk), Luke DeVere, Matt Jurman, Sebasation Ryall, Daniel Mullen, Tahj Minniecon (Scott Neville 66’), Oliver Bozanic (Diogo Ferreira 72’), Jason Hoffman (Mirjan Pavlovic 66’), James Brown (Isaka Cernak 66’), Mitch Nichols (Chris Payne 83’), Marko Jesic.