Qantas Under 23's v Iran

Live Match update of the Qantas Under 23's 2008 Olympic qualifying match v Iran. Click here for Full Live Update.

FINAL SCORE: AUSTRALIA 3 - 1 IRAN

A polished display by the Australian under 23 team has almost ensured progress to the next stage of the 2008 Olympic games Asian qualifying campaign, the Aussies getting up 3-1 in a spectacular affair at Hindmarsh Stadium. Despite a slick performance by the visiting Iranians, Australia dominated in most areas of the park after the match started sensationally with two goals in the first three minutes. It was at times a tense affair, with several cautions issued to Iran and a straight red card given to Mark Bridge for an off-the-ball incident mid-way through the second half. Australia travels to Jordan in three weeks time now with a three point lead over Iran for the all-important second position in Group D (with first-placed Saudi Arabia playing later today), while Iran will face the Saudis on the same day. Signing off from Adelaide.

95'+ full time Australia takes out the match 3-1

94'+ yellow card Australia - Topor-Stanley (time-wasting)

94'+ yellow card Iran - Amraei

93'+ substitute Australia - Troisi off, Vidosic on

92'+ Amraei almost snatches a late goal but it goes just wide

90' four minutes of added time to be played

88' a perfectly-placed Ward just fails to get on to the end of a cross

87' well-coordinated Australian defence snuffles out a useful Iranian attacking play

86' an over-enthusiastic Djite is caught offside as Australia tries to put the final nail in the coffin

85' Iran nabs a couple of corners within a minute - but both are ineffective

81' substitute Australia - Sarkies off, Djite on

77' Sarkies latches on a cross and heads it firmly towards the target, forcing a miraculous save by Makani

73' the end-to-end action continues - Australia taking its eleventh corner

72' Iran are not going down without a fight with two rapid-fire attacking moves almost reducing the deficit

70' substitute Iran - Mirtorabi off, Goudarzi on

70' with his first touch of the ball, Ward fires a wicked shot just over goal... action aplenty here at Hindmarsh

69' substitute Australia - Burns off, Ward on

69 yellow card Pooladi

66' red card to Bridge... after consulting with his assistant, the referee sends Bridge off, and also cautions Nazari - Australia now one player short

65' plenty of passion on and off the field, with a break in play following a fracas involing several players

62' Midavoodi with a long-range shot, taken cleanly by Vukovic

59' Sarkies gets a firm strike on target, but its straight into the keeper

58' Iran wins its first corner - over the keeper and out of play

57' substitute Iran - Karimi off, Kolahkaj on

55' Australia continuing the pressure with another corner, almost deflected into the Iran net from an Iran player

53' GOAL AUSTRALIA a great build-up involving McClenahan, Bridge and Topor-Stanley, the latter with a pin-point pass to TROISI who places it expertly from 6m out. Australia 3-1

48' Iran makes a useful start to the second half, but a short period of sustained pressure comes to an end with an off-side call

46' the second half is underway... no half-time substitutions for either team

Plenty of incidents and lots of feeling as the first half concludes with some contentous tackling and other controversial moments. But it is the home side with the upper hand, Australia notching up nine corners (to Iran's nil) and having several shots on or near goal. The crowd of around 7-8000 - with a huge Iranian contingent - is making for a brilliant atmosphere in this vitally important match for both countries.

47+' half-time the referee blows the half-time whistle with Australia leading 2-1

43' GOAL AUSTRALIA BRIDGE makes no mistake with the penalty after a two minute halt in proceedings with emotions getting to some of the Iran players, who are making their feelings known to referee Al Fadhli. Australia 2-1.

41' Penalty awarded to Australia! Kaebi brings Troisi down on the edge of the penalty area... the Iranian captain is given a yellow card

39' Australia with its 8th corner, and Milligan gets the ball in to goal but the referee blows for a free after Downes challenges the keeper

36' an Iranian attacker is let through and it's a race to the ball with Vukovic, the Aussie goalkeeper getting to it in the nick of time

34' Kilkenny almost makes it through a crowded penalty box but has the ball snatched away before getting a strike on goal

32' Iran get their best opportunity since their goal but to no avail

29' substitute Iran - Ravankhah off, Azizmohammadi on

20' Australia certainly having the better of play - now leading the corner count 6-0

16' following Australia's fifth corner, Burns gets a firm shot on target with the keeper out of play, but Nazifkar stops it on the line

We apologise for the break in transmission and now return to an absorbing encounter with our technical difficulties resolved

7' Milligan with a chance - just over

4' GOAL IRAN AMRAEI latches on to a nice through-ball, and tussles on the run with Downes, ending the play with a perfectly-placed shot on goal. 1-1

2' GOAL AUSTRALIA Following Sarkies' second corner in 30 seconds, DOWNES sneaks in to the penalty area to head the ball home. Australia 1-0

A vital clash for both teams, combined with superb conditions and a large and boisterous Iranian support is setting the stage for an entertaining evening here in Adelaide. There's a crowd of around 4-5,000 here about 10 minutes before kick-off.

Australian starting line-up: Daniel Vukovic (gk), Trent McClenahan, Aaron Downes, Mark Milligan (c), Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Leigh Broxham, Kristian Sarkies, Neil Kilkenny, Mark Bridge, Nathan Burns, James Troisi. Substitutes from: Adam Casey, Adam D'Apuzzo, Bruce Djite, Nick Ward, Dario Vidosic, Peter Eleftherakis, Tando Velaphi (gk)

Iran starting line-up: Soush Makani (gk), Ali Hamoudi, Mohammad Nazari, Ebrahim Karimi, Adel Kolahkaj, Hossein Kaebi (c), Milad Mirtorabi, Mehrdad Pooladi, Omidreza Ravankhah, Ali Nazifkar, Vahid Amraei. Substitutes from: Milad Midavoodi, Reza Mohammadi, Shahram Goudarzi, Reza Taheri, Morteza Mohammadi, Sina Ashoori Mehranjani, Mahdi Mohammad Pour

Referee: Saad Kameel AL FADHLI Conditions: fine, approx. 18 degrees Live from Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide

Kick-off - 7.00pm ACST (7.30pm AEST)