Australian hopes of qualifying for this year’s Olympic football tournament nosedived with a 2-0 loss away to group leaders Uzbekistan in freezing Tashkent on Sunday.
The loss leaves Australia five points behind Uzbekistan in their Asian qualifying group with just two of the six rounds remaining.
While the kickoff was brought forward five hours to 3pm local time, the temperature was still an uncomfortable -12.
The Olyroos’ goal drought continued after the opening three games finished 0-0.
The visitors had two goals disallowed, one in each half.
Shortly after Kenja Turaev gave Uzbekistan the lead with a 27th minute long range effort.
Then Jason Hoffman had a goal rubbed out for offside.
Mitch Nicholls netted just after the hour, but the goal was disallowed for an infringement in the penalty area.
Nicholls also picked up a yellow card during the game.
Oleg Zoteev secured the win for the home team with a sublime volley in the 85th minute.
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The Crowd Says (3) | Page 1 of Comments
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- 2012 London Olympics, Aurelio Vidmar, football, Mitch Nichols, Olyroos
February 6th 2012 @ 11:41am
PeterK said | February 6th 2012 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Oh dear!
February 6th 2012 @ 2:59pm
Ballymore said | February 6th 2012 @ 2:59pm | Report comment
Two questions AAP, if you could enlighten me –
1) Why did the Olyroos prepare in the moderate heat of Dubai when they knew they would be playing in freezing Tashkent?
2) Were the Olyroo’s goals correctly or incorrectly ruled out?
Cheers
February 7th 2012 @ 12:31pm
PeterK said | February 7th 2012 @ 12:31pm | Report comment
Agree that the answers to both these questions would be interesting to read!