Olyroos' Olympic bid ends in Jordan stalemate

The Olyroos' 2016 Rio Olympics dream came to an end after a 0-0 draw with Jordan.

0-0 . . . . The Olyroos were unable to breakdown Jordan. Source: Getty Images

Aurelio Vidmar's side needed nothing short of a win in their final group game to ensure progression from the AFC U-23 Championships in Doha on Thursday morning (AEDT).

 

However, in a hard-fought contest, the Olyroos were unable to claim all three points despite coming close at the death through Jamie Maclaren’s clever lob.

The Olyroos dominated possession but struggled to create enough threatening goal-scoring opportunities and seriously test Jordan goalkeeper Noureddin Ateyah in a reflection of their poor attacking form throughout the competition.

The Olyroos mounted their first chance from a corner after 13 minutes as Cameron Burgess edged in front of his marker but he was unable to keep his volley down as it flew over the bar.

Despite a larger share of the ball, the Olyroos were unable to carve out any clear-cut chances as Josh Brillante blazed a shot over the bar 10 minutes before the break.

A long-range swerving strike from Ahmad Hisham almost gave Jordan the lead soon after the break, and the match started to open up with Lennox required to make another stop from Ehsan Haddad.

Vidmar injected both Andrew Hoole and Terry Antonis into the match to try and spark the Olyroos attack and find the crucial goal but in continued to evade them.

Maclaren’s delicate lob over the keeper from Burgess’ flick on rebounded cannoned back off the crossbar at the death and the Olyroos best chance yet again went begging.

Australia starting XI: Lennox (GK), Geria, Donachie, Burgess, Gersbach, O’Neill, Brillante (Antonis 72’, Mauk (Hoole 61’), Amini (c), Borrello (Edwards 85’), Macalren