China vs Australia, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - AFC, Third Round
· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - AFCIrvine leads Socceroos to qualifying win over China
Australia's quest to secure automatic World Cup qualification is set to go down to the wire, despite the Socceroos earning a 2-0 away win over China.
Match Commentary
- 13': Xie Wenneng (China) Yellow Card at 13'
- 16': Jackson Irvine (Australia) Goal at 16'
- 29': Nishan Velupillay (Australia) Goal at 29'
- 34': Behram Abduweli (China) Substitution at 34'
- 45': Serginho (China) Substitution at 45'
- 66': Wang Yudong (China) Substitution at 66'
- 67': Wang Haijian (China) Substitution at 67'
- 77': Fran Karacic (Australia) Substitution at 77'
- 77': Aiden O'Neill (Australia) Substitution at 77'
- 82': Mitchell Duke (Australia) Substitution at 82'
- 82': Anthony Cáceres (Australia) Substitution at 82'
- 87': Wang Ziming (China) Substitution at 87'
- 90'+2': Daniel Arzani (Australia) Substitution at 92'
Statistics
 AUS |
CHN |
|
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Fouls | 10 |
| 0 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Offsides | 0 |
| 6 | Corner Kicks | 6 |
| 1 | Saves | 0 |
| 51 | Possession | 49 |
| 8 | SHOTS | 12 |
| 3 | ON GOAL | 1 |
| 0.4 | On Target % | 0.1 |
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 |
| 0 | Penalty Kicks Taken | 0 |
| 0 | Accurate Passes | 0 |
| 0 | Passes | 0 |
| 0.0 | Pass Completion % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Accurate Crosses | 0 |
| 0 | Crosses | 0 |
| 0.0 | Cross % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Long Balls | 0 |
| 0 | Accurate Long Balls | 0 |
| 0.0 | Long Balls % | 0.0 |
| 1 | Blocked Shots | 4 |
| 0 | Effective Tackles | 0 |
| 0 | Tackles | 0 |
| 0.0 | Tackle % | 0.0 |
| 0 | Interceptions | 0 |
| 0 | Effective Clearances | 0 |
| 0 | Clearances | 0 |
Game Information
Venue: Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium
Location: Hangzhou, China PR
Attendance: 70,588
WCQ - AFC Standings
| # | TEAM | GP | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 9 | +21 | 20 |
| 2 | Australia | 9 | +8 | 16 |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | 9 | 0 | 13 |
| 4 | Indonesia | 9 | -5 | 12 |
Line-Ups
China (4-1-2-1-2)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 14 | Wang Dalei (GK) |
| 16 | Jiang Shenglong |
| 2 | Han Pengfei |
| 18 | Huang Zhengyu |
| 4 | Li Lei |
| 8 | Yang Zexiang |
| 19 | Cao Yongjing |
| 20 | Xie Wenneng  |
| 7 | Xu Haoyang |
| 10 | Wei Shihao |
| 9 | Zhang Yuning |
Australia (3-4-2-1)
| No. | Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mathew Ryan (GK) |
| 2 | Milos Degenek |
| 21 | Cameron Burgess |
| 8 | Jason Geria |
| 17 | Ryan Teague |
| 22 | Jackson Irvine |
| 16 | Aziz Behich |
| 3 | Lewis Miller |
| 11 | Brandon Borrello |
| 7 | Nishan Velupillay |
| 6 | Martin Boyle |
WCQ - AFC News
The race for the 2026 World Cup has begun in earnest. Here's how it's looking around the globe.
The rapid rise of Kasey Bos is set to continue, with sources telling ESPN that the 21-year-old is nearing a move to Bundesliga outfit FSV Mainz.
Socceroos winger Daniel Arzani says he is yet to decide on his club future, but confirmed he's in discussions with several teams as his contract with Melbourne Victory nears its end -- amid reported interest from Scotland.
Socceroos forward Brandon Borrello says there is "no chance" Australia will let their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification dream slip away in Saudi Arabia next week.
Uzbekistan coach Timur Kapadze lauded the efforts of his players after the Central Asian country qualified for the World Cup for the first time.