Australia’s wafer-thin hopes of Olympic soccer qualification hinge on victory, goals and luck – or they’ll vanish entirely in the Middle East this week.

The Olyroos’ clash with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi early on Thursday morning (KICKOFF 0030 AEDT) is the last chance saloon for the Australian under-23s.

Without a win in their four group matches, maximum points are a must for the team to have any hope of finishing second and getting into the playoffs for a Games spot.

Already top spot in the group and automatic qualification is out of reach, partly because of a decision earlier this month to strip Iraq of points because of a player eligibility infringement.

That leaves UAE – who received a 3-0 win over Iraq because of the infringement – equal top of the group on eight points.

They and Uzbekistan are five points clear of the Olyroos.

Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar recognises the Iraq decision leaves his side with huge problems, added to the fact they are goalless in all four matches so far.

“We’ve still got a lot to play for, but if we don’t win then we’re definitely gone,” Vidmar said from Dubai on Monday.

“We know what’s in front of us. I thought we were pretty unlucky against Uzbekistan (in a 2-0 defeat in freezing conditions earlier this month).”

The Olyroos have managed to call up Scottish-based midfielder Aaron Mooy, who will join the team in camp late on Monday night.

But Vidmar said he had failed to negotiate the release of other overseas-based players, including striker Mathew Leckie who is injured and won’t be let go by his German club Borussia Moenchengladbach.

Vidmar conceded the problems of getting European-based players released has taken a toll on a campaign in which A-League players have mostly featured.

“That’s been the way it’s been the whole campaign,” Vidmar said.

“We’ve kept knocking on the door again and again, and got a flat-out no. We’ve done everything we can to get these players released.”

Australia’s final group match is against Iraq in Gosford on March 14, with the UAE and Uzbekistan to play on the same day.

If the Olyroos finish second in the group, they will play off against the runners-up from the two other Asian groups.

The winner of that play-off will have a match against Senegal to claim the last qualifying spot for London 2012.