Australia must overcome bogy team Iraq to be sure of qualifying for next year's Olympic men's football tournament, and will probably have to do so without its overseas-based stars.
Australia must overcome bogy team Iraq to be sure of qualifying for next year's Olympic men's football tournament, and will probably have to do so without its overseas-based stars.
"I've just taken two Panadol," said coach Aurelio Vidmar after the final Asian qualifying draw in Kuala Lumpur pitted the Olyroos in a tough group against Iraq, Uzbekistan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Iraq dumped Australia in the quarter-finals of the Athens 2004 Olympics, and again looms as the Olyroos' biggest obstacle on the path to London 2012.
An even bigger headache for Vidmar arises because the Olympic qualifiers are on non-FIFA dates, meaning he will face the familiar club versus country battles to obtain the services of players like Korean-based Luke De Vere.
De Vere's K-League side Gyeongnam refused to release the former Brisbane Roar stopper for Australia's second-round qualifiers against Yemen last month in Gosford and Newcastle, and Vidmar knows he will have a battle on his hands again.
"We need him as much as they need him," Vidmar said.
"But if we don't get him, we've still got extremely capable players in the A-League.
"I am confident they can do the job.
"We will certainly do our utmost to get the strongest possible squad, but we'll have these problems throughout the campaign."
The Olyroos, ranked second behind South Korea among the final 12 Asian nations, must play home and away games against Iraq, Uzbekistan and UAE between September 21 and March 14 next year.
They will start favourite to win their group but need to finish on top to be sure of going to next year's London Olympics.
If they finish second, they must fight for a spot in a further play-off round at the end of March.
Top-ranked South Korea was also handed a tough group, taking on Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman, while third-rated Japan has the easiest ride, facing Bahrain, Syria and Malaysia.
The three groups (with Asian Olympic rankings in brackets) are:
Group A: South Korea (1), Qatar (6), Saudi Arabia (7), Oman (10).
Group B: Australia (2), Iraq (4), Uzbekistan (9), United Arab Emirates (11).
Group C: Japan (3), Bahrain (5), Syria (8), Malaysia (12).
Australia's match dates are: Sept 21 v UAE at home, Nov 23 v Iraq away, Nov 27 v Uzbekistan at home, Feb 5 v Uzbekistan away, Feb 22 v UAE away and March 14 v Iraq at home.
Doug Conway
AAP
