ADELAIDE, Australia (AFP) -- Australia all but secured their place in the next stage of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics with an 11-0 thrashing of Taiwan in the first leg of their playoff at Hindmarsh Stadium here Wednesday.

It was just one goal short of the record win for an Australian Olympic team after the 12-0 result against Vanuatu here in 1996.

Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies scored four goals with Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite scoring once and setting up five others. The second leg of the playoff takes place in Taipei on February 14.

Should Australia beat Taiwan they will progress to the next qualifying stage alongside Iran, Saudi Arabia, and either Jordan or Kyrgyzstan.