Late winner sinks Qantas Young Socceroos

The Qantas Young Socceroos have suffered their first defeat at the Weifang Cup, going down 1-0 to host nation China in Shandong.

The Qantas Young Socceroos have suffered their first defeat at the Weifang Cup, going down 1-0 to host nation China in Shandong.

In a tight contest, China-s winner came with just four minutes remaining, when they headed home at the near post from a corner.

Despite the loss, the team put in another good performance and more than matched the Chinese team throughout.

Australia-s best chance to score came after eight minutes, when great play down right hand side, saw a pass into box by Milos Lujic to Matt Mullen, who with the keeper out of position, put his shot wide of the post.

In a game of few chances, Australia had another glorious opportunity in the 60th minute, when Queensland Roar-s Tahj Minniecon worked his way into the left side of the penalty box. He neatly played a ball to James Brown, who layed the ball back to James Holland, but with the goal at his mercy, failed to convert the chance.

Match Details

China 1 (86-) Australia 0

Australian line-up: Andrew Redmayne (gk); Luke De Vere, Sebastian Ryall, James Holland, Matthew Mullen (Matt Theodore 60-), Isaka Cernak-Okanya, James Brown (Bonel Obradovic 87-), Tahj Minniecon (Richard Greer 90'), Jason Hoffman (Matthew Harper 88-), Milos Lujic, Daniel Mullen

Cautions: M Mullen (25-), Hoffman (40-), Brown (42-), Minniecon (88-)

The team will play a local Chinese team Shandong in its next game in two days time, before rounding out the tournament against Uzbekistan.