The Olyroos have secured progression to the next stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Iraq.
Yaya Dukuly and Matthias Macallister scored in stoppage time as Australia lifted themselves from potential elimination to Group D winners in the space of an exhilarating four minutes.
Head Coach Tony Vidmar made three changes from the side that was narrowly defeated by China. Giuseppe Bovalina, Luka Jovanovic and Jaylan Pearman came into the starting eleven, replacing Aydan Hammond, Mathias Macallister and Nathaniel Blair.
The first half was spent in somewhat of a holding pattern, with both teams getting a feel for each other and the game.
Australia had consecutive chances at the midway point of the first half. Yaya Dukuly was ruled narrowly offside after being played through on goal, before a shot from James Overy minutes later resulted in a corner. However, that would be the Olyroos' only sight on goal for the first stanza.
The game sped up considerably in the second 45. The Olyroos had the first chance within minutes of the half-time break when Dukuly hit the side netting, played through on goal by Luka Jovanovic.
It was Iraq who began to create the better opportunities, however. Aymen Luay was central to everything in attack. First he played a lovely ball to Amoori Faisel, who shot high in the penalty area, before a long shot of his own only narrowly fizzed over the crossbar.
In the 61st minute, an incisive ball from Layth Mahmood found Luay in the penalty area. Goalkeeper Steven Hall made contact on Luay as he tried to stifle the opportunity and Amoori Faisel confidently scored the resulting spot kick, giving Iraq the lead.
Vidmar made two changes in response to the goal, with Jed Drew and Louis Agosti replacing James Overy and Jordi Valadon. The substitutes made an immediate impact to the energy of the Olyroos as they surged forward in search of an equaliser.
Australia thought they had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 74th minute, when Yaya Dukuly was brought to ground in the penalty area. However, the on-field decision to award a penalty kick was overturned after video review.
Aidan Simmons and Mathias Macallister were introduced for the final ten minutes of regulation time. They replaced Giuseppe Bovalina and Jaylan Pearman. The final change came five minutes later, with Nathaniel Blair replacing Kaelan Majekodunmi.
It was last chance saloon for the Olyroos as the match headed into stoppage time, and they took that last chance with both hands. Yaya Dukuly was the hero in the 93rd minute, scoring a back post header after a pinpoint cross from Joshua Rawlins. That goal lifted Australia to second in the group.
Iraq - needing to win to advance at Australia's expense - surged forward. The Olyroos capitalised on the space left in behind. Dukuly found Nathaniel Blair in behind, and clever work between himself, Luka Jovanovic and goalscorer Mathias Macallister saw Australia take the late lead.
The result means that Australia have qualified for the next stage of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™ as Group D winners.
Match Details
Iraq: 1 (Faisal 63')
Australia: 2 (Dukuly 90+3', Macallister 90+7')
Date: Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Time: 2.30pm (local) / 10.30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Broadcast: Paramount+
Australia Line Up:
1. Steven Hall
3. Joshua Rawlins
5. Giuseppe Bovalina (2. Aidan Simmons
79')
6. Kaelan Majekodunmi (9. Nathanael Blair 85')
8. Jordi Valadon (20. Louis Agosti
64')
11. Yaya Dukuly
14. Ethan Alagich
15. Nathan Paull
16. Luka Jovanovic
17. Jaylan Pearman (23. Mathias Macallister 79')
21. James Overy (7. Jed Drew 64')
Subs not used:
4. Kane Vidmar
10. Aydan Hammond
12. Lachlan Allen (GK)
13. Ariath Piol
18. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)
19. Marcus Younis
22. Marcus Humbert
Iraq Line Up:
1. Layth Sajid
2. Hameed Ali
3. Josef Al Imam (13. Abbas Fadhil 69')
4. Adam Rasheed
5. Abdulrazzaq Qasim
6. Hussein Fahem
10. Amoori Faisal
15. Ali Mokhalad
17. Karrar Ali (20. Abbas Adnan 45')
21. Layth Mahmood (8. Yasir Wisam 90')
23. Aymen Luay (11. Mustafa Nawaf 90')
Subs not used:
7. Mohammed Jameel
12. Ridha Abdulaziz
14. Jaber Dhumad
18. Ali Sadeq
19. Sidad Haji