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| 2010 FIFA World Cup |
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| Positive finish for China |
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| Australia striker Bruce Djite is put under pressure by the China defence. (AFP) |
SYDNEY – Sun Xiang’s early goal proved the difference as China ended their World Cup qualifying campaign on a high note with a 1-0 victory over Australia at a packed ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
With the hosts having qualified for the next phase from Group One and China already eliminated, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek named a much-changed side as he took the opportunity to have a look at a number of new players.
However, Sun’s 12th minute strike ensured the majority of the 70,054 crowd left disappointed as Australia suffered their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier since losing to New Zealand in 1981.
China even had the luxury of missing a penalty as Zheng Zhi sent a re-taken effort wide with just under quarter of a hour to go.
On a bumpy surface, neither side was able to produce flowing football although China did take the lead in impressive fashion.
Ruden Zadkovich, one of four Australian debutantes who started the game, directed his headed clearance straight to Xiang and he took one touch before unleashing a cracking left-foot drive into the bottom left corner of the net.
Australia's first real opportunity came in the 20th minute when skipper Harry Kewell made his way down the right before floating a cross into the box for Bruce Djite but the striker just failed to get his head to the ball.
Mile Jedinak then went close with a header from a free kick before James Troisi caused panic in the Chinese defence.
Xiang blasted well over the bar on the half hour mark before Carl Valeri forced goalkeeper Song Zhenyu into a smart save in the 42nd minute with a long-range effort.
The hosts rounded off a patchy first half performance with Djite smashing a volley over the bar after Kewell had chested the ball down on the edge of the box.
Australia began the second half with a lot more urgency, but it was China who enjoyed the best of the early chances and Qu Bo hammered a shot well over the bar with only Michael Petkovic to beat after latching on to a long ball before the visitors rattled the woodwork after 58 minutes.
There was further drama in the 76th minute when Zadkovich, who had a largely forgettable evening, conceded a penalty after he was adjudged to have upended Gao Lin in the box.
Zheng smashed the spot kick past Petkovic but the referee spotted an infringement and ordered a re-take, which the midfielder dragged wide of the right upright.
However, there was to be no last-minute escape for Verbeek's men as China ended a disappointing qualifying campaign in positive fashion.
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