Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2008-06-23

(BEIJING, June 23) — China ended their disappointing FIFA World Cup 2010 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 victory over a second-string Australia team in Sydney on Sunday, June 22.

Sun Xiang scored a fantastic goal from near the right edge of the 18-yard box in the 12th minute to provide China with their only win in Group A of the third qualifying round.

The result had no bearing on qualifying as Australia had already secured their place in the next stage, while China were already out of contention and confirmed at the bottom of the four-team group table, with their hopes of progressing ended with their home defeat 2-1 to Iraq in Tianjin last week (June 14).

The second qualifier from Group A is Qatar, winners of the 2006 Asian Games, who secured their entrance into the next group stage with a surprise 1-0 victory over 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq in Dubai on Sunday night (June 22).

Australia and Qatar will now contest the Round Four of the Asian continetal 2010 World Cup qualifying procedure, which will consist of two round-robin, home-and-away groups of five teams.