Pim Verbeek's youngsters fell behind as early as the 12th minute and could find no response to Xiang's cracking strike. China missed a chance to double their lead but Zhi fired wide with a retaken penalty.

Australia lacked composure and real quality in the final third and struggled to unlock the visiting defence. Mile Jedinak and Bruce Djite went close but all too often the Socceroos were restricted to long range efforts.

China looked the sharper, slicker outfit and never looked overly troubled.

Pim Verbeek will be happy to be through to the next stage but will no doubt be left with plenty of questions over the performances of his youngsters.

Result: Australia 0 China 1

94 It's all over and you can't really argue with the result. A young Aussie side showed plenty of commitment, huff and puff but couldn't find the necessary quality to gain at least a point against China. Mile Jedinak and Bruce Djite both went close but the visitors had that little bit extra to secure the result. A real shame for another big crowd who turned out for this dead rubber.

94 Full-Time: Australia 0 China 1.

93 Australian corner down the right but it comes to nothing.

92 All very frustrating for Australia. Another goal kick for China.

90 There will be four added minutes.

90 Australia corner down the right. Sarkies delivers but a foul on the keeper by Topor-Stanley.

89 Topor-Stanley throw from the right falls to Valeri but he scuffs his shot.

87 Sarkies lofts in free-kick from the right and North header drifts harmlessly wide.

86 Kewell penalised for handball as ball booted towards him by Petkovic.

85 Spiranovic clears for a corner after a mistake from Topor-Stanley.

84 Williams' cross from the right deflects off Dong and through to the keeper.

83 Kristian Sarkies on for Troisi.

83 Williams puts his opponent under pressure by the left corner flag but can't force a corner.

82 Chinese caught offside.

80 Spiranovic heads clear under pressure.

79 Jedinak off to be replaced by Neil Kilkenny.

78 Australia win a corner down the right. Sadly it comes to nothing.

78 The second penalty flies wide of the right post. That's given the crowd a big lift.

77 Zhi scores the spot-kick but the referee orders a retake for encroachment.

76 China corner from the left. Disaster as Zadkovich fouls Lin in the area. Penalty to China.

75 Kewell tries to clip a cross to the back post but the keeper is able to gather.

74 Williams earns Australia a corner down the right.

74 Poor pass from Jedinak flies straight out on the right touchline.

72 Zadkovich concedes free-kick down the left.

71 Williams can't get past his man down the right and the ball rolls out for a goalkick. The crowd getting frustrated.

70 Australia move down the right breaks down all too easily.

69 Topor-Stanley offside as the ball is thumped towards him on the left edge of the box.

68 Jedinak nods forward to Djite inside the area but he is surrounded by red shirts before he is able to turn.

67 Troisi overruns the ball and China clear on the edge of the box.

66 Troisi tries his luck from distance but it's a poor effort that zips well wide of the left post.

65 Poor pass from Jedinak flies straight out for a goalkick.

64 A change for Australia. On comes David Williams for his debut. Off goes Holland.

63 Troisi overhits his cross from the left after good work from Kewell.

62 Too much pace and height on Valeri's ball towards Djite on the edge of the box.

61 Australia win free-kick in central position 40 metres from goal. China clear all too easily.

60 Holland penalised for a foul as he chases a pass down towards the left corner flag.

59 China ball over the top easily gathered by Petkovic.

58 Djite effort flies over the top as he's forced wide.

57 China cross from the right clips the angle of post and crossbar.

56 Topor-Stanley's header forward rolls out for a Chinese throw.

55 Socceroo free-kick on the left. Holland to take it. It's not a great delivery though and Australia are caught offside in any case.

54 A delay for a Chinese injury.

53 China break down the right and Bo should score from 10 metres. He fires over the top.

53 Good first touch from Valeri but his volley flies wide of the right post.

52 Ball won't come down quickly enough for Kewell on the edge of the box.

51 Australia throw down the right.

50 Chinese throw on the left on halfway. They win another one, courtesy of Jade North. It comes to nothing though.

49 Zadkovich cross from the right, Djite catches the keeper and concedes the free-kick.

49 Great work by Valeri to clear a dangerous Chinese attack.

48 China caught offside. Holland tries to pick out Djite but China able to crowd him out.

47 Long ball forward from the home side easily cut out.

46 Australia will get us underway for the second half. Topor-Stanley throw into the Chinese box bobbles briefly before being hacked clear.

45+1 Half-Time Australia 0 China 1. Not the 45 minutes Pim Verbeek and a big crowd was hoping for. The Socceroos have looked rather disjointed with little to really get excited about. Few clear cut chances for the home side with China producing the one real moment of quality in front of goal. Pim must be wondering whether it's a case of shout or encourage during the interval.

45 Djite caught offside. There will be one minute of stoppage time.

44 Kewell claims a foul. The ball runs loose to Holland but he chips the ball straight into the keeper's arms.

44 China threaten to burst through the middle but Topor-Stanley does well to snuff out the danger.

43 Kewell cushions the ball down for Djite on the edge of the box. He should score but fires over the top. A great chance.

42 Powerful strike from Valeri punched clear by Yu. A good effort.

41 Troisi penalised for a strong challenge on Feng. Cool, calm clearance by North to find Zadkovich.

40 Djite earns his side a free-kick just inside the China half.

39 Poor pass by Troisi and Topor-Stanley can't keep the ball in on the left.

38 Kewell gets underneath his shot from 22 metres and the ball balloons over the crossbar. Teed up well by Djite.

37 Topor-Stanley's low cross from the left cut out at the near post.

36 Jedinak effort disappointing.

35 China cut in from the right but Yaokun slices his shot well wide of the left post.

34 Holland's corner headed clear and as it comes back in, the keeper rises to snatch the ball off the head of Topor-Stanley.

33 Great move by Australia down the right ends with Zadkovich earning a corner.

32 China cross from the right takes a deflection and runs through to Petkovic.

31 Troisi unleashes a long range strike but the ball screams high and wide.

30 Australia just keeping possession, the ball is eventually pushed forward and the Socceroos win a throw down the left just inside Chinese territory.

29 It should be 2-0. Good work by the visitors and goalscorer Xiang fires high and wide from the edge of the area.

28 Holland's corner is headed clear.

28 Troisi low cross from the left is cleared at the near post for an Australia corner. Valeri was ready to pounce.

27 The initial delivery is headed clear and when it comes back in it's easy for Petkovic.

26 Zadkovich forced to concede corner down the left.

25 China throw down the left on halfway. They earn another one but Australia clear.

24 Australia free-kick on the right. Good delivery by Holland and Jedinak's header flies just wide of the right post.

23 Kewell goes down in the area and claims he's been nudged over. The referee waves play on.

22 It's a poor set piece though and Australia clear easily. Zadko can breathe again.

21 Zadkovich concedes a silly backpass on the left byline. Danger for Australia.

20 Great work down the right by Kewell. Crosses for Djite who is a fraction away from converting with a header. Much better from Verbeek's boys.

19 Foul on Spiranovic just inside Australia's half. Djite then caught offside.

18 China crowded out on the edge of the box. The visitors are looking confident and happy to run at the home defence.

17 Australia win throw down the left flank. Kewell tries his luck from distance but the shot is blocked.

16 Aimless long ball forward from Australia straight into the keeper's arms.

15 Valeri fouled by Dong. Troisi almost bursts clear on the edge of the box but can't break through the visiting defence.

14 Zadkovich pulls the ball back from the right byline but it takes a deflection and loops into the arms of goalkeeper Yu.

13 Djite penalised for a foul by the right corner flag. It's all gone a shade quiet.

12 Goal Australia 0 China 1. Cross from the right headed clear by Zadkovich but it's picked up by Xiang who thunders a shot past Petkovic. A terrific strike.

11 Great block by Topor-Stanley down by the right corner flag.

9 Spiranovic heads clear for a throw in down the right. It's not been a blistering start by either side.

8 Jedinak penalised for another foul, this time in the centre of the park, but China fail to take advantage.

7 Valeri tries to find Troisi but vital interception by the visitors. Topor-Stanley puts in throw from the left but Jedinak penalised in the area for a nudge in the back.

6 Another ball forward towards Djite is hooked clear by the Chinese left back.

5 Petkovic punts the ball forward, it's flicked on towards Djite but cleared by the visiting defence.

4 Jedinak pulled up for a foul on the left flank. The ball is pumped forward but easily cleared. Kewell then threatens to latch on to a loose ball at the other end but keeper Yu races out quickly to clear.

3 Djite attempts to burst through the left channel but up goes the flag.

2 China attack down the left headed clear by Spiranovic as the offside flag goes up.

1 Long ball from China headed out for a throw in by Topor-Stanley.

It will be China to kick off and we're underway...

The teams are on the pitch and lining up for the national anthems.

The Socceroos are expected to adopt a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Pim Verbeek has selected the following XI to take on China at ANZ Stadium: Michael Petkovic, Ruben Zadkovich, Nikolai Topor-Stanley, Matthew Spiranovic, Jade North, Carl Valeri, Mile Jedinak, James Troisi, James Holland, Harry Kewell, Bruce Djite.