A wonder strike from China's Sun Xiang in the 12th minute separated the two teams.

China 'scored' from a 76th minute penalty only for the referee to order it be re-taken - Zheng Zhi pushing his second attempt wide of the target.

It was Australia's first home loss in a World Cup qualifier since going down to New Zealand in 1981.

With qualification to the next phase of World Cup qualifying assured, Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek used the opportunity to rest several key players while blooding a host of debutants and international rookies.

On a bumpy surface ill-suited to a quick passing game, neither side produced the flowing football expected in a dead rubber contest.

China's goal was a stunning effort from the impressive Xiang.

Ruden Zadkovich, one of four Australian starting players on debut, directed his headed clearance straight at Xiang, who took one touch before unleashing a cracking left-foot drive into the bottom left corner of the Socceroos goal.

Australia's first real opportunity came in the 20th minute, skipper Harry Kewell making a long run down the right before floating a left-foot cross into the box for striker Bruce Djite, who at full stretch, just failed to get his head to the ball.

Three minutes later China was presented with an unusual free kick opportunity after Australia goalkeeper Michael Petkovic ill-advisedly picked up a back pass from Zadkovich on the by-line.

But the visitors, who scored from a similar position in their previous qualifier, wasted the chance as the Australian defence easily averted the danger.

As the game started to warm up, Mile Jedinak went close with a header from a free kick and James Troisi's accelerated run into the box and release required a scramble goalmouth clearance from the Chinese.

Xiang showed his left foot possesses more danger than his right by blasting well over the bar on the half hour.

Australia continued to press forward, Carl Valeri pressuring goalkeeper Song Zhan-yu into a fisted clearance following a 25m piledriver in the 42nd minute.

The hosts rounded off a patchy first half performance with Djite smashing a volley over the bar after Kewell had soft-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.

Set free by a lovely long ball, Qu Bo hammered his shot well over the crossbar from close range with only Petkovic to beat.

That crossbar came to the Socceroos' rescue in the 58th minute - a floating shot beating Petkovic before striking the woodwork - before Djite responded seconds later with a wayward effort at the other end.

There was drama in the 76th minute when Zadkovich, who had a largely forgettable evening, conceded a penalty when ruled to have up-ended Gao Lin in the box.

Zheng Zhi smashed the spot kick past Petkovic but the referee spotted an infringement, disallowing the goal and ordering Zhi to step up to the spot again.

A shaken Zhi dragged his second effort wide of the right upright and the Socceroos survived.

But there was to be no last-minute escape for Verbeek's men, who have now dropped two matches en route to qualifying for the next phase.

Australia will re-commence its campaign to qualify for a second consecutive World Cup finals appearance in September when Asia's top 10 nations fight it out for four automatic berths to South Africa.