China surged into knockout stage contention with a 1-0 win against Australia in their AFC U23 Asian Cup Group D clash in Saudi Arabia.
The result moved China to four points, with Australia one adrift to set the stage for a thrilling Matchday Three. China PR will face Thailand on Wednesday while Australia meet Iraq.
Australia enjoyed early possession but with the China PR defence shutting down all attempts, failed to make any headway, with Ethan Alagich’s shot in the 18th minute not going anywhere close to its intended target.
Later efforts by Kaelan Majekodunmi, Nathanael Blair and Joshua Rawlins were all firmly dealt with before they could trouble keeper Li Hao, whose counterpart Steven Hall at the other end also proving to be a bystander.
Things finally turned around two minutes before the break when an unmarked Peng Xiao, picking up a loose ball on the edge of the penalty area following a set-piece, slammed home past Hall into the top right corner to give China PR the lead.
The East Asian side looked to build on their advantage when the match resumed after the break, with Wang Yudong’s free-kick across the goalmouth begging for takers and Li Zhenquan firing into the side netting from the right.
Australia, however, gradually began to assert themselves with custodian Li Hao called into action for the first time in the 62nd minute when he went down low to parry a close range effort from Blair, and then smothering Yaya Dukuly’s shot from inside the six-yard box a minute later.
As the minutes ticked away, substitute Giuseppe Bovalina thought he had equalised in added time but his effort was ruled out for hand ball following a VAR review as China took the points.
Meanwhile, Thailand fought back to hold Iraq to a 1-1 draw in their Group D tie.The result left the group tantalisingly poised, with China PR on four points, Australia one adrift, Iraq third after two draws and Thailand with a single point.
Thailand will face China PR on Wednesday while Iraq meet Australia.
