China v Australia minute by minute

1' China makes the first attacking move

2' Holman lays it on to Viduka who gets a decent shot on from 15m in front, a nice save by the Chinese keeper

6' a nice turn, run and firm strike from 20m out from Viduka, again well stopped by the keeper. Australia getting some good early chances

8' GOAL AUSTRALIA a great run on the left from Bresciano who eventually passes along the ground it to an unmarked Holman near the penalty spot, who makes no mistake to notch his first goal for Australia. Australia 1-0.

10' Lu Jian Jun is almost through for China but is ruled offside

14' Sterjovski ruled offside, Australia's second offside for the match... Qantas Socceroos dominating

19' Sterjovski gets a cross in but its too close to the keeper

20' China wins its first corner, but it goes straight to an Australian player... Australia then makes a break with Holman and Bresciano involved, which immediately gets the ball to the other end of the park

22' Holman passes through for Viduka near goal, but the Australian captain is just in an offside position

28' GOAL AUSTRALIA China loses it in the box, the ball snapped up by Bresciano who gets a great first touch, and an even better second touch with a perfectly placed shot on target from 7m out. Australia 2-0.

31' another good passage of play for the Aussies with Steffanuto crossing it to Sterjovski, whose shot goes wide

32' yellow card Australia: Beauchamp fouls his opponent, although it was nothing too malicious

33' China's second corner for the match is again ineffective

35' Jia Yi breaks free and shoots towards goal, but it goes too far left - perhaps China's best chance of the match so far

38' substitute China: Jian Jun off, Fang Zhuo on

39' Holman is let loose but is controversially ruled offside with only the keeper to beat

41' Holman breaks through from midfield again to almost latch on to a dangerous through ball from Viduka

42' Australia earns a corner following a few ominous moments for the Chinese defence, Australia really looking the dominant side


Half time: Australia 2-0.


46' substitute China (half-time): Hai Bin on

46' China starts off the second half well with a near chance falling to Jin Yu following a useful break down the right

49 a great run from near half-way from Jia Yi who makes it all the way to the six yard box, but a clean shot on goal being foiled by a last ditch tackle

51' Australia concedes a foul 25m out - the resulting shot gets through to Schwarzer but the Aussie keeper does not have to exert himself too much... China looking a much better side in the second half so far

55' Australia concedes its 10th foul for the match... in contrast China have given away just two

60' substitute China: Jia Yi off, Yan Peng on

61' China have enjoyed much more of the possession so far in the second stanza, however have still not managed to get a firm strike on target

65' the home side almost breaks the duck with Jun Zhe breaking free on the right and crossing to Yan Peng who strikes it firmly on target from 6m out only for Schwarzer to foil with a fantastic reflex save with his left hand

66' substitute Australia: Steffanuto off, North on

69' yellow card Australia: Holman with a dodgy challenge

69' substitute Australia: Holman off, Thompson on

71' a close offside call as Viduka gets a good header on target from 5m out

73' China's second corner in 60 seconds is another ineffective one - straight to Schwarzer

75' substitute China: Jian Qing off, Song on

76' substitute Australia: Viduka off, McDonald on... Viduka getting a nice rousing reception from the Chinese fans

79' Fang Zhuo makes a strong run near goal but again is unable to get a clear shot on target

80' substitute Australia: Bresciano off, Carle on. Three Hyundai A-League players now on the park

83' Australia still without a shot at goal in the second half so far, while the Chinese have managed eight - almost reversing the first half shots tally

83' substitute China: Jin Yu off, Dong on

85' substitute Australia: Sterjovski off, Colosimo on (both sides allowed up to six substitutes in this match)

88' the second half is coming to a stuttering end with several substitutions taking the rhythym out of the game over the latter stages of the match

89' fouls now 5 (China) - 20 (Australia)

90' substitute Australia: Valeri off, Burns on

90' three minutes of added time to be played

92' perhaps the last chance of the match with Wei ineffectively reaching the end of a free kick crossed in from the left to near-goal


Full time: Australia wins 2-0.


Courtesy of FFA

Half time stats: China-Australia
. possession 45%-55%
. total shots 2-7
. corners 2-4
. offsides 1-4
. fouls 2-8

Full time stats: China-Australia
. possession 50%-50%
. shots 12-7
. corners 7-4
. offsides 1-5
. fouls 5-22