Key posts
Will we see half-time changes?
This is where game management comes to the fore. China will defend that opener to the death now, so it will be up to Australia to make something happen. While that is ultimately down to the players, Popovic might now be considering when and how to use his bench, with players like Hrustic and McGree at the ready. Might mean a formation change. When? We’ll see.
Meanwhile, China’s left-back Li slides straight into the shin of Miller as he’s receiving the ball. There was contact with the ball but the referee has still deemed it worthy of a yellow card and duly reaches straight into his pocket. Miller has been copping it tonight.
Australia 0-1 China, 38 minutes
A word from Vince
By Vince Rugari
The goal did come, just at the wrong end. There’s been a bit too much indecision in Australia’s play – misplaced passes, teammates unsure of whose turn it was to go and whose it was to stay – and that bit of hesitation was definitely there in the horrific passage of play that led to China scoring, through a deadset route one long ball through the guts from the goalkeeper. At his pre-match presser, Tony Popovic spoke of how his players needed to be “calm” on the pitch… good luck with that now. China will sit back and defend their lead, the Socceroos need to sort themselves out, because their attacking play – that positive stuff I was talking about earlier – has also fallen apart in the last 10-15 minutes.
Australia 0-1 China, 33 minutes
Equaliser before the break?
It would help to head to the change rooms on equal footing. Ivankovic has quietened down quite a bit, which is understandable given he’s now a bit closer to steering China to a first away win in eight matches.
Quick stat update: Australia have had 82 per cent possession and four shots to China’s one thus far, not to mention 254 passes to China’s 58. That gives you an indication of the way this has played out.
Duke is down and while he briefly receives treatment Popovic is giving Irankunda some tactical direction.
Australia 0-1 China, 31 minutes
Here’s the goal
What just happened?
Well, Australia’s back line were positioned flat – not too far forward or back – and China went for the long ball in behind. Zhang headed it on and, as Souttar chased in vain, Xie made his move. Adelaide Oval got very quiet. A bit of a shock given the visitors showed little evidence of going ahead until this very moment.
China open the scoring
They hardly had a whiff of a chance over the first 20 minutes but they’ve taken the first one on offer via a terrific, angled finish from Xie Wenneng.
Australia 0-1 China, 20 minutes
Rugari feeling hopeful
By Vince Rugari
I’m personally quite satisfied with what we’ve seen so far. Already you can see different patterns of play compared to the Arnold era – more combination play, less reliance on diagonals, getting it wide and whipping it in.
Craig Goodwin is proving an excellent outlet on the right, too, coming in on that sensational left foot of his – you can see China paying very close attention to him and Nestory Irankunda on the other side. Promising signs. The goal will come, I believe.
Australia 0-0 China, 18 minutes
Craig Goodwin on the ball.Credit: Getty Images
Strong touchline vibes
Meanwhile, China’s manager, Branko Ivankovic, is even more energetic on the touchline than his Australian counterpart. Ivankovic said pre-match he expected the Socceroos to play aggressively tonight and he was – it seems so far – correct. He is under a bit of pressure right now given his side are also winless after two games in the third stage of qualifying. And, right now, Australia are looking the more dynamic side.
Australia 0-0 China, 15 minutes
China make first moves
Brazilian-born Fernandinho fires the first warning shot heading the other way, bursting forward on his own before Rowles has something to say about it. Miller is taped up now and back in action.
Australia 0-0 China, 12 minutes
More positive signs
Miller is felled by Wei Shihao from behind and draws a second free-kick for Australia. The tackle also draws blood that is dribbling off Miller’s elbow and he is forced to leave the pitch to have it patched up as Goodwin does the set-piece honours and the ball is once more cleared away.
Australia 0-0 China, 10 minutes
