Australia's World Cup soccer run hits bump

Updated June 9, 2008 09:52:29

The Socceroos face Qatar next weekend in their run through the World Cup qualifiers. [Getty]

Socceroos goal keeper Mark Schwarzer was the hero last week, but this time he was at fault as Australia lost 1-0 to Iraq.

Fielding a far more defensive line-up than last week, Australia's national men's soccer team were looking comfortable early on in a match Iraq had to win.

Then on 28 minutes, Iraq's Emad Ridha spotted Schwarzer a few metres off his line and somehow managed to lob the ball over the keeper's fingertips and into the net off the underside of the crossbar.

Suddenly the Socceroos needed to change their approach, and despite Pim Verbeek introducing attackers Brett Holman, Josh Kennedy and Scott McDonald for the second half, Australia rarely caused serious threat to the Iraqi goal.

The Socceroos now face Qatar next weekend.

The Qataris are level on seven points at the top of the group with Australia after they upset China 1-0 on Sunday.

Australia's final group match is against China in Sydney.