No goals, no Paris: Olyroos’ Olympic quest over as shadow of controversial snub looms large

Australia won’t be represented at this year’s Olympic Games men’s football tournament after the Olyroos’ limp AFC under-23 Asian Cup campaign came to an end with a 0-0 draw against tournament hosts Qatar.

Needing a win to have any hope of reaching of the quarter-finals and keeping their slim chance of Paris Olympics qualification alive, the Olyroos again failed to find the back of the net.

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The Australians finished the tournament without scoring, having drawn 0-0 with Jordan and lost 1-0 to Indonesia in their previous two Group A matches.

The Olyroos’ failure to score a goal in three games again raises questions about the decision not to pick A-League prodigy and Bayern Munich-bound teenager Nestory Irankunda in the squad.

The closest the Australians came to scoring against Qatar came in the 75th minute when substitute Keegan Jelacic had a shot that was tipped on to the post by goalkeeper Ali Nader Mahmoud.

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Olyroos captain Jacob Italiano also had a good chance two minutes before half-time but his shot flew over the crossbar.

Even if the Olyroos had won the match, it wouldn’t have been enough to reach the last eight, with Indonesia’s 4-1 victory against Jordan taking them to six points and locking in second spot in Group A and progression to the