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OLYMPICS/ Preliminaries


Australia, Japan qualify for men's soccer tournament
(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-11-22 10:25

 

BANGKOK, Thailand - Australia, Japan and South Korea secured draws Wednesday to advance to next year's Olympic Games men's soccer tournament.

Australia drew 1-1 at North Korea, Japan had a scoreless home draw against Saudi Arabia, as did South Korea against Bahrain.

A contentious 70th-minute goal by Australia's Mark Milligan cancelled out Pak Chol-min's 10th-minute opener.

Australia topped Group A with 12 points, one ahead of Iraq, which beat Lebanon 5-2 later Wednesday.

Reports said Milligan's headed goal appeared to hit the hand of teammate Adrian Leijer before the ball crossed the line.

Japan, which needed only to avoid defeat against Saudi Arabia to be certain of qualifying, finished Group C with 11 points.

South Korea topped Group B with 12 points. Bahrain finished second with 11.

Syria held Uzbekistan to a 3-3 draw in another Group B match thanks to an equalizer from Ahmad Dalli Hassan in the 80th minute. Syria finished third in Group B on four points, while Uzbekistan was in last place with three points.

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