Australia 0 - 1 China

Australia 0-1 China: Xiang wonder-goal

Updated: June 22, 2008, 8:00 AM UK

SYDNEY, June 22 (Reuters) - China ended their failed World Cup qualifying campaign on a high with a 1-0 victory over a below-strength Australia on Sunday.

Defender Sun Xiang scored a superb goal in the 12th minute to provide the Chinese with their first win in Group A and hand the Australians their first home defeat in a World Cup qualifier for 27 years.

The result had no bearing on the qualifying as Australia, fielding a mostly second-string team, had already secured their place in the next stage while China were out of contention.

Australia's Dutch coach Pim Verbeek opted to rest most of his European-based players and give some of the country's younger players the chance to push their claims for selection when the final stage of qualifying starts in September.

'It's disappointing to lose at home and we're not happy about it,' Australia captain Harry Kewell told reporters.

'(The next phase) is going to be tough but we're prepared for that.

'I'm pretty sure we'll have a strong squad out there and things will be different.'

The Australians dominated possession throughout the match but failed to capitalise on their chances after going behind early in front of more than 70,000 spectators at Sydney's Olympic stadium.

'If there were no fans in the stand I literally would be very happy with this game,' Verbeek said.

'But we have 70,000 people in the stands and they want to see more chances, they want us to score goals. They want to see at least a result and that is what we didn't show.'

Sun broke the deadlock when he gathered a headed clearance from Australian defender Ruben Zadkovich on the outside of the box and fired the volley past the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Michael Petkovic into the top right corner of the net.

China were unlucky not to go 2-0 up in the 77th minute when Zadkovich fouled Gao Lin inside the box and Zhi Zheng converted the penalty.

But Saudi Arabia referee Khalil Al Ghamdi ordered the spot kick be re-taken because of encroachment and the Charlton Athletic midfielder missed the target with his second attempt.

'This victory is not very important to us because already lost in qualification for the World Cup,' China's Serbian coach Vladomir Petrovic said.