Match report

Australia Defeats China 2-0 in World Cup Qualification Asia

China
China
0–2
FT
Australia
Australia
Mar 25, 2025

Australia stunned China with a 2-0 victory in their World Cup Qualification Asia match, with early goals from J. Irvine and N. Velupillay sealing the win. China, despite making several substitutions, struggled to find a foothold in the game and could not muster a response against the resolute Australian defense.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: China 0–2 Australia
  • • J. Irvine scored the first goal for Australia at the 16th minute
  • • N. Velupillay extended Australia's lead with a goal at the 29th minute
  • • Xie Wenneng received a yellow card for China at the 13th minute
  • • China made multiple substitutions, including Abduweli Behram (34'), Serginho (46'), and Y. Wang (66')
  • • Australia also made multiple substitutions, including L. Miller (76'), R. Teague (77'), and A. Caceres (82')

Lineups

China

Formation: 4-3-1-2

Starting XI

  • 14 Wang Dalei (G)
  • 8 Yang Zexiang (D)
  • 2 Han Pengfei (D)
  • 16 Jiang Shenglong (D)
  • 4 Li Lei (D)
  • 7 Xu Haoyang (M)
  • 18 Huang Zhengyu (M)
  • 20 Xie Wenneng (M)
  • 19 Cao Yongjing (M)
  • 10 Wei Shihao (F)
  • 9 Zhang Yuning (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 Yan Junling
  • 3 Wu Shaocong
  • 5 Wei Zhen
  • 6 Serginho
  • 11 Y. Wang
  • 12 Liu Dianzuo
  • 13 H. Hu
  • 15 Cheng Jin
  • 17 Wang Zhenao
  • 21 Wang Haijian
  • 22 Wang Ziming
  • 23 Abduweli Behram

Australia

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Starting XI

  • 1 M. Ryan (G)
  • 8 J. Geria (D)
  • 2 M. Degenek (D)
  • 21 C. Burgess (D)
  • 3 L. Miller (M)
  • 22 J. Irvine (M)
  • 17 R. Teague (M)
  • 16 A. Behich (M)
  • 6 M. Boyle (F)
  • 7 N. Velupillay (F)
  • 11 B. Borrello (F)

Substitutes

  • 4 K. Rowles
  • 5 A. Caceres
  • 9 K. Trewin
  • 10 D. Arzani
  • 12 P. Izzo
  • 13 A. O'Neill
  • 14 J. Davidson
  • 15 M. Duke
  • 18 T. Glover
  • 19 F. Karacic
  • 20 R. Grant
  • 23 C. Goodwin

Timeline

  1. China
    13' China Card · Yellow Card
    Xie Wenneng

    Foul

  2. Australia
    16' Australia Goal · Normal Goal
    J. Irvine
  3. Australia
    29' Australia Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Velupillay
  4. China
    34' China subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Cao Yongjing · On: Abduweli Behram
  5. China
    46' China subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Shihao Wei · On: Serginho
  6. China
    66' China subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Xie Wenneng · On: Y. Wang
  7. China
    67' China subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Huang Zhengyu · On: Wang Haijian
  8. Australia
    76' Australia subst · Substitution 1
    Off: L. Miller · On: F. Karačić
  9. Australia
    77' Australia subst · Substitution 2
    Off: R. Teague · On: A. O'Neill
  10. Australia
    82' Australia subst · Substitution 3
    Off: N. Velupillay · On: A. Caceres
  11. Australia
    82' Australia subst · Substitution 4
    Off: B. Borello · On: Mitchell Duke
  12. China
    87' China subst · Substitution 5
    Off: Zhang Yuning · On: Wang Ziming
  13. Australia
    90'+1 Australia subst · Substitution 5
    Off: M. Boyle · On: D. Arzani

Match Stats

Stat China Australia
Fouls 10 3
Pass Accuracy 87% 85%
Offsides 2 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 12 7
Corners 6 6
Total Passes 452 474
Yellow Cards 1 0
Blocked Shots 4 1
Shots on Target 1 2
xG — —
Shots off Target 7 4
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 391 405
Shots Inside Box 8 6
Saves 0 1
Shots Outside Box 4 1

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Australia capitalized on their early dominance by scoring two quick goals within 16 minutes, establishing a commanding lead
  • ▸ Despite China's efforts to level the score with multiple substitutions, Australia's defense remained solid and prevented any significant threats