AUSTRALIAN goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer saved a penalty kick from China’s Shao Jiayi with two minutes left to help Australia tie China 0-0 and extend its lead in Asian qualifying for the 2010 soccer World Cup.

In a very defensive match, Schwarzer was not forced into a save until the 86th minute when substitute forward Qu Bo drove a long-range half volley on target.

The Socceroos goalkeeper came out of his area to make a save soon after and collided with Qu, earning a caution from referee Ahmad Nasser, who awarded the penalty.

China’s players were celebrating in anticipation of the winning goal, but Shao hit his shot low and down the middle, and Schwarzer blocked it with his leg.

Schwarzer made a similar save against Uruguay to help Australia qualify for the 2006 World Cup and said he’d likely never top that effort.

But, “it definitely was important today,” Schwarzer said. “It was a bit harsh to give a penalty, I thought.

“To lose a match in the last minute would have been a disaster. I think we deserved to get a point out of it.”

Australia has four points from two matches following its opening 3-0 win over Qatar.

Australia lost star Liverpool winger Harry Kewell just before the match with a groin strain and forward Archie Thompson in the 6th minute, cutting its attacking options and contributing to the defensive nature of the match.

But China was rarely enterprising going forward at the high-altitude venue.

Charlton Athletic midfielder Zheng Zhi created China’s best attacking phases before he was replaced in the 69th, bringing Shao into the attack.

China was lucky not to be a man down after Manchester City defender Sun Jihai’s two-footed sliding challenge on an Australian player in the last 10 minutes.

Sun said China, which has two points after a 1-1 opening draw with Asian Cup champion Iraq, needed to convert more chances.

“Although we had a chance to win, we should really focus on the process instead of result,” Sun said. “From this game we can see the hope and we’re looking forward to our future games.”

The 20 teams in Asia are split into five groups, with the winners and runners-up reaching the final group phase, from which four teams advance to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The two next-best teams will then play off for the right to face the Oceania group winner for another berth.

In another game later yesterday, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea met in a match that was switched to Shanghai after the DPRK refused to fly its neighbor’s flag and play its national anthem in Pyongyang. The two sides also tied 0-0.

(SD-Agencies)