A draw against North Korea in Pyongyang will guarantee Australia a place in the football tournament at next year's Beijing Olympic Games.

The Olyroos all but secured their ticket to the Olympics with their 2-0 home win over Iraq in the crunch clash in their penultimate qualifier at Gosford's Bluetongue Stadium on Saturday.

Australia claimed top spot in their group for the first time during the final round of qualifying after goals to Adrian Leijer and Mark Milligan handed Iraq their first defeat of the stage.

Chesterfield team captain Aaron Downes came on as a late substitute in time to celebrate the victory (pictured above).

It leaves the Australian under-23s within sight of their goal with a point against Korea enough to secure their place in Beijing.

Australia and Iraq were equal on eight points going into the game in Gosford, with Iraq sitting top of the group with a superior goal difference.

More than 13,000 fans packed Bluetongue Stadium for the match, including a healthy mix of local Iraqi support.

Iraq, surprise semi-finalists at Athens 2004, host Lebanon in their final game in Doha.

The only way they can overtake Australia is if the Olyroos lose in North Korea.

The Olyroos flew out of Sydney on Sunday and will spend two days preparing in Beijing before moving on to North Korea for the deciding game this Wednesday 21 November, kick-off 5.00pm.