Australia Defeats China 3-1 in World Cup Qualifier

Australia secured a vital 3-1 victory over China in their World Cup qualifying match, marking an impressive debut for new coach Tony Popovic. After falling behind to a 20th-minute goal from China's Xie Wenneng, the Socceroos rallied with goals from Lewis Miller, Craig Goodwin, and debutant Nishan Velupillay. This win revitalized Australia's qualification campaign, moving them to second in Group C, just ahead of Saudi Arabia, while China remains at the bottom with three consecutive losses. Popovic made significant changes to the lineup, including replacing former captain Mat Ryan with Joe Gauci in goal, demonstrating a shift in tactical approach. The Socceroos now face a challenging match against Japan next week, aiming for one of the top two spots that guarantee direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.