In a dead-rubber for London 2012 qualification, Australia and Iraq played out a timid 0-0 draw in Gosford last night.

Not only were the Aussies knocked out of contention prior to the clash, it also meant the Olyroos finished the group in last place without scoring a single goal in nine hours of football.

And while the 19-year-old Newcastle product was rapt at the call-up, the defender felt the frustration of yet another goalless performance from Aurelio Vidmar’s side.

“I thought we had most of the possession but no goals again. We dominated. It was a bit hard, we created a few opportunities but didn’t capitalise,” he said today.

“It was a new side but all the boys got along in the camp two days before. It was a so-called dead rubber but Viddie didn’t want that attitude taken out onto the pitch.

“Obviously we got a draw but we put in 100% which is all a coach can ask for.”

Pepper, who’s made 15 appearances in a breakthrough season for the Jets, said the pace of the game was something he had to adjust to, not to mention an entirely new side.

But at his age, the new Australian U-22 side is a goal of his.

“Ever since I was a kid I dreamt of playing for my country, so to put on the Australian shirt was a good feeling,” said the defender.

Pepper’s Jets teammate Ali Abbas was an interested observer at last night’s game.

Abbas was familiar with a number of the Iraqi coaching staff that mentored him during his rep days for Iraq, and the Jets attacker visited the team hotel after the game.

The Australian citizen and Iraqi international played five years ago in an Olympics qualifier on the same ground.

When quizzed, he pinpointed one area of the Olyroos game that contributed to the goal drought.

“Maybe they don’t have a good number nine,” he told au.fourfourtwo.com. “Hopefully in the future they can find that.”

Pepper and his fellow Olyroo Ben Kantarovski did not train with the Jets group today, instead they were restricted to ice recovery ahead of the visit of Brisbane Roar.

It’s a massive game for both sides’ finals fate and Pepper hopes that if he does play, the buzz of pulling on a green and gold shirt will give him a boost.

“It’s just another thing under your hat. Hopefully I can take it into the game on the weekend and try get a bit forward and look up. And maybe in some situations take some more players on.

"Just depends on what the coach wants."

In Jets team news, striker Ryan Griffiths trained strongly but pulled up after returning from a cork in recent days.

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