Chesterfield central defender Aaron Downes scored just three minutes into his Olyroo debut as Australia wore down Iran for a 3-1 win at Hindmarsh Stadium, edging closer to qualification for the Beijing Olympics.

The 22 year-old netted with a glancing header at the near post from a Kristian Sarkies corner that beat a sea of bodies to give Australia a positive start.

But Iran levelled less than a minute later on a fast counter which ended with striker Vahid Amraei slotting the ball into the corner of the net after beating his opponent.

The Olyroos regained their poise just before halftime as striker Mark Bridge coolly slotted a 43rd minute penalty for a 2-1 lead after Newcastle United midfielder James Troisi was tripped in the penalty area by Iran captain Hassein Kaebi.

Dynamic Troisi then netted his first national goal in the 53rd minute from close range after Sydney FC defender Nik Topor-Stanley beat an opponent on the left and squared the ball back invitingly for him to drive past the keeper for 3-1.

The win enabled the Olyroos to surge into second spot in the Group D qualifying phase with one match to play away against Jordan, needing only a draw to advance.

But the Olyroos had to fend off the wily Iranians with just 10 men for the final 25 minutes after Bridge was sent off for a clash off the ball with Mohammed Nazari, who was cautioned.

Adelaide United striker Nathan Burns had a shot cleared off the line in the 17th minute while Sarkies and midfielder Neil Kilkenny went close in the second half as Australia held on to their second win in five games in Group D matches.

Iran slipped to third in the group, three points adrift of Australia following the loss and rarely troubled the Olyroo defence marshalled brilliantly by captain Mark Milligan.

Australia will miss Bridge and Topor-Stanley for its last match against Jordan on June 6 after the latter was cautioned in the dying minutes, his second of the phase.

Olyroos coach Rob Baan said his players had shown they wanted to take the initiative against Iran in this key match and maintained it the entire match.

"We still have to travel to Jordan to get a point to make sure of qualification for he next stage," he said.

"But we showed that when all the players are available just how well we can play."

Baan said his players had performed admirably through the entire match despite playing as a 10-man unit for most of the second half after Bridge's dismissal.

"I was happy with the whole game except for their equaliser," he said.

Baan said more work with Australia's wing backs such as Topor-Stanley had paid dividends.

He also praised Troisi's contribution at key stages of the win and a solid debut from Downes in defence.

Iran's coach Vinko Begovic said his side had failed to keep shape in the first half despite equalising early on and paid the penalty.

"We really needed to beat Australia at home the first time instead of drawing 0-0 to have been closer to qualifying in this group stage," he said.

Security guards ejected about 10 spectators from the ground during the game after some heated scuffles in the crowd of more than 6,300.

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