FIFA World Cup qualifiers LIVE updates: Socceroos v China at ...

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The Sydney Morning Herald

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10.09pm

Velupillay scores!

On international debut, if you don’t mind. McGree provides the initial ball and Bos the cutback. From there it’s a little messy, and the way it falls for Velupillay is a little fortuitous. But the 23-year-old turns on the spot and throws his boot through it to give Australia a two-goal buffer.

Socceroos - Figure 1 — Photo The Sydney Morning Herald

Australia 3-1 China, 90+2 minutes

10.06pm

Five minutes of added time

Velupillay overcooks a cross from right to left but only slightly. The idea is right. Bos tries to chase it down to no avail, but good signs.

Australia 2-1 China, 90+1 minutes

10.03pm

Bos makes himself known

Bos drifts in behind at such a pace that he’s hurtled well over the byline before he can get away a cutback. Goodwin is waiting in the box and plants the ball into the back of the net but literally nobody displays any body language to indicate they actually believe that’s a goal.

But Bos is lively, and he comes again and links up with McGree for a half-chance. Australia are moving the ball quickly now inside China’s half and Miller has a crack at another goal to match his first for the evening.

Australia 2-1 China, 88 minutes

9.58pm

Duke’s night is over

He seems okay, so it must be precautionary ahead of that Japan game next Tuesday. For now, it means an international debut for Melbourne Victory’s Nishan Velupillay.

Australia 2-1 China, 83 minutes

9.56pm

Another change for China

Li heads off with what appears to be an injury and is replaced by Liu Yang.

Bos races down the left and provides a diagonal ball with his left boot that Duke is running onto. He hurls his body forward to attempt the header and, while contact is made, he lands heavily and clutches at his shoulder in pain.

Australia 2-1 China, 81 minutes

9.52pm

Record crowd confirmed

The official figure is 46,291 according to Football Australia, who says this includes general public, corporates, venue members. Together, it sets a record for a Socceroos’ match in Adelaide.

Australia 2-1 China, 77 minutes

The scene at Adelaide Oval.Credit: Getty Images

9.50pm

Jordan Bos is introduced

I speculated too soon, because Bos is coming on for a run. Behich comes to meet him to make the switch, and gets a high five from Popovic on his way to the bench.

Australia 2-1 China, 75 minutes

9.48pm

Half-chance for China

The cross comes in from the left and its trajectory is dangerous. Geria makes the slightest bit of contact at the near post that looks to be the difference.

That comes as Zhang and Wei are subbed off and replaced with Jin Cheng and Lin Liangming.

Will we see any further changes on the Australian side?

Australia 2-1 China, 73 minutes

9.45pm

Avert your eyes, there has been a Mexican waveBy Vince Rugari

The crowd’s given it a couple of Mexican waves here at Adelaide Oval but it still feels like, to me, that the Socceroos need another goal before they can feel comfortable. China’s counter-attacking has proved a consistent threat - albeit largely because of Australia’s own defensive foibles - and all it would take is another moment like one of those ones in the first half for all of this to come undone. A draw is as bad as a loss, in terms of World Cup qualifying calculations.

Australia 2-1 China, 71 minutes

9.42pm

The clock is ticking

Wang flies straight into Irvine, in a tackle that has Australia’s midfielder on the turf and Wang into the book. Behich is playing tricky now along the left byline, evading two defenders and banging in a low cross.

Australia 2-1 China, 67 minutes

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