The Olyroos have come up with their own version of the "Hand of God" to rescue them from disaster and usher them into next year's Beijing Olympic Games.

A 70th minute header officially credited to skipper Mark Milligan - but which television replays showed may have been helped over the line by teammate Adrian Leijer's arm - secured Australia's under-23s a 1-1 draw against North Korea in Pyongyang.

The result gave the Olyroos the point they needed to top their qualifying group and earn a spot at next year's Olympic men's soccer tournament.

The Milligan-Leijer goal had echoes of Diego Maradona's infamous "Hand of God" goal, when the Argentine superstar handballed into the net to help his country to a 1986 World Cup quarter-final win over England.

North Korean players protested unsuccessfully to Syrian referee Muhsen Basma about the legality of the goal, though it had no real bearing for the home side which was out of contention for Olympic qualification anyway.

Second-placed Iraq, whom the Olyroos beat 2-0 in Gosford last weekend, could have qualified at Australia's expense if the visitors had slipped up.

But now Iraq's final match against Lebanon in Qatar overnight is a dead rubber - with Australia now four points clear atop their group.

The Olyroos showed plenty of character to fight their way back into the match after trailing for most of it, caught napping defensively just 10 minutes in.

Striker Pak Chol Min nipped in between Milligan and goalkeeper Danny Vukovic, then lobbed neatly over the keeper's head to give the home side the lead.

North Korea torched the Aussies in the first half, peppering their goal while the Olyroos struggled to master a plastic pitch and near-zero temperatures in the North Korean capital.

Leijer saved the Olyroos from having a mountain to climb when he cleared off the line in the 14th minute, while the home side had two other clear sights on goal they failed to make the most of.

But as the home side tired visibly in the second half, Australia grew in composure and confidence - with Milligan going from villain to hero with 20 minutes remaining.

The Sydney FC defender's looping header from a Kristian Sarkies free-kick squeezed inside the left-hand post - with Leijer's arm in close proximity - to ensure Australia continue their unbroken run of Olympic football qualification since 1988.

The result completes a 14-match qualifying campaign for the Olyroos across eight countries to reach Beijing.

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