THE Olyroos took another step towards a berth at Beijing with a comfortable 3-0 win over Lebanon in their Olympic qualifier.

First half goals from Nicholas Ward and Mark Bridge and a third from substitute David Williams in added time secured the valuable three points for Graham Arnold's men, who need to finish top of Group A to progress to next year's Games.

Beginning the match with nine of the eleven players that were so impressive against DPR Korea four days earlier, Australia were simply an echelon above their stubborn, but outclassed opponents.

There was still no starting place or substitute appearance for Chesterfield's Aaron Downes, who sat on the subs bench for the second game in succession.  Despite pre-match speculation, English based defender Trent McClenahan replaced the suspended Adrian Leijer in central defence. 

Up front, the robust presence of Adelaide United's Bruce Djite was preferred in place of Brondby striker Williams, whose diminutive style was most fitting against DPR Korea last Saturday.

Lebanon goalkeeper Hassan Mognieh saved the visitors from an embarrassing first half blow out at Bluetongue Stadium with a series of fine saves, most notably two full stretch efforts to first deny a deft Kristian Sarkies' chip in the 10th minute and then his volley in the 35th.

Mognieh was also on hand to block Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite's shot from point blank range while Ward had a header cleared off the line.

Ward opened the scoring in the sixth minute, latching onto a Nikolai Topor-Stanley cross to guide the ball home.

Bridge doubled the advantage in the 24th, running onto a Djite flick on the edge of the area before calmly side-footing into the back of the net.

Then Williams capped the night in the third minute of added time after pouncing on a loose ball to fire home. Lebanon rarely threatened in their limited time with the ball.

The Olyroos move to seven points from three games to momentarily top Group A, but still have three qualifiers to play.

Iraq are on four points but can move ahead of the Olyroos with a win over North Korea in Doha later tonight because of a superior goal difference after thrashing Lebanon 5-0 in Beirut last Saturday.

Manager Graham Arnold said after the game:

"The first 35 minutes were champagne football, they played absolutely fantastic."

Arnold said the main goal was always to secure a full six points from the two home matches in the last week - the first being a one-nil win over North Korea in Newcastle last Saturday - and they did that, so he couldn't complain.

Arnold did, however, believe Iraq were in the "pole position" in the group.

The Olyroos journey towards the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing continues on Wednesday, 17 October, when they travel to Beirut to again take on Lebanon. Kick off is at 6pm local time.

The Qantas Under 23s last remaining home match of this final qualification stage is on Saturday, 17 November, when they host Iraq at Bluetongue Stadium. Kick off is at 7pm.

Australia team: 1. Danny Vukovic gk (Central Coast Mariners), 2. Ruben Zadkovich (Sydney FC), 4. Mark Milligan (Sydney FC), 6. Stuart Musialik (Newcastle Jets) sub 39 David Miceveski 80'), 7. Kristian Sarkies (Adelaide United) (sub Ersun Gulum (Vestel Manisaspor, Turkey 85'), 9. Mark Bridge (Newcastle Jets), 11. Bruce Djite (Adelaide United) (sub David Williams (Bronby, Denmark 74'), 13. Trent McClenahan (Hereford United, England), 15. Nick Ward (QPR, England), 20. Nikolai Topor-Stanley (Perth Glory), 22. Billy Celeski (Perth Glory)

Unused subs: 16. Leigh Broxham (Melbourne Victory), 17.  Aaron Downes (Chesterfield, England), 18. Tando Velaphi (gk) (Perth Glory), 42. Nigel Boogaard