The Qantas Under 23's have lost the final of the inaugural Intercontinental Cup, 2-0 against Nigeria in Kuala Lumpur a game which featured Chesterfield's Aaron Downes.

Fielding under-strength team with the withdrawal of Mark Milligan due to illness, the Olyroos had their chances, but a goal in each half saw Nigeria, who will also be at the 2008 Olympic Games in China, get the win.

Despite the loss, coach Graham Arnold hailed the tournament a success and has given him much food for thought in the selection of his final squad for the Olympics.

"It was a great tournament," said Arnold after the game. "I learnt a lot about the players and their ability to perform and backup in these conditions and they performed excellently."

"Tonight we were far the better team for the majority of the game but didn't take our chances."

"I am very positive looking forward, he added. "These players have given me a selection headache for Beijing. Before this tournament I had 12/13 penciled in for spots for the Olympics but after this tournament I now only have 4."

The Africans took the lead as early as the 7th minute when Bernard Okorowanta's attempt from outside the box sailed past Australia's goakeeper Tando Velaphi into the net.

Australia upped the ante after that but found Nigeria more than their match in all departments. They were further punished in the 86th minute when Emmanul Sarki's free kick also from outside the box put the match beyond any doubt.

Chesterfield's Aaron Downes, who had missed the semi-final victory over the Republic of Ireland, played a full 90 minutes in the final.  In the earlier qualifying games he had had some success by scoring a vital goal in the 4 nil victory over Toga.

The tournament, which began on May 15, involved players aged Under 23 from eight teams from four continents - Asia, Europe, America and Africa.

Australian line-up v Nigeria: Tando Velaphi, Ruben Zadkovich (Jason Michael Hoffman), Adrian Leijer (Michael Anthony Zullo), Stuart Musialik, Nikita Rukavysta, Aaron Downes, Matthew Simon, Trent McClenahan, Spase Dilevski, Tarek Elrich, Dario Vidosic(Nigel Boogaard).

Earlier Chesterfield defender Aaron Downes got on the scoresheet as the Qantas Under 23's finish the group phase of the Intercontinental Cup unbeaten, after an emphatic 4-0 win over Togo in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

After Jason Hoffman had opened the scoring a second goal came just before the break when a corner by Dario Vidosic saw Chesterfield defender Aaron Downes make it 2-0.

Any chance of a Togo comeback was laid to rest with two more second half goals through Michael Tullo and Matt Simon before the match turned farcical after Toga had two men sent off.  They then proceeded to take more players off injured, leaving the referee with little choice but to stop the game early.

Australian line-up v Togo: Dean Bouzanis (gk), Tarek Elrich, Mark Milligan, Aaron Downes, Trent McClenahan, Stuart Musialik, Adam D'Apuzzo, Michael Zullo, Matt Simon, Dario Vidosic, Jason Hoffman. 

The Qantas Under 23's were virtually assured of a place in the semi finals after a hard fought 2-1 victory over Chile on Sunday, a game in which Aaron Downes, and a number of other players, didn't feature.

In the first game of the tournament the Qantas Under 23's had kicked off with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Croatia in Cheras, Malaysia with goals from Nikita Rukavytsya, Troy Hearfield, and James Troisi.  The team, which included Chesterfield's Aaron Downes, kept a clean sheet.

Australian line-up v Croatia: Tando Velpahi (gk); Ruben Zadkovich, Nigel Boogaard, Aaron Downes, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Spase Dilevski, James Holland (Adam D'Apuzzo 75'), Mark Bridge, Michael Zullo, Nikita Rukavytsya (Matt Simon 32'), Troy Hearfield (James Troisi 70')

By finishing in the top two of their group the Aussies progressed to the semi final stage and beat the Republic of Ireland 3-1 on May 23, although Aaron Downes did not take part in the game.