SYDNEY, Australia — Shanghai Shenhua defender Sun Xiang's goal in the 12th minute gave China a 1-0 win over Australia in an Asian World Cup qualifier Sunday.

With Australia having already reached the next stage of Asian qualifiers for South Africa in 2010 and China out of contention, Australian coach Pim Verbeek opted to rest key players and field a side dominated by seven under-23 players as preparation for August's Beijing Olympics.

Both teams enjoyed an even share of possession and there were no real chances before Sun surprised the near-capacity 70,000 crowd at the former Olympic stadium when he fired the ball past Socceroos goalkeeper Michael Petkovic with a 20-meter strike.

Australia right back Ruben Zadkovich, in his senior international debut, headed clear a dangerous Chinese cross but it fell to Sun in space outside the box. Sun controlled the ball well and unleashed an unstoppable curling drive which sailed in the top right corner of the net.

Australia could have equalized in the 20th minute, but striker Bruce Djite failed to get enough on a header from a fine Harry Kewell cross, after some good footwork by the Australian captain.

Mile Jedinak then flashed a header just wide five minutes later from a James Holland free kick.

Australia continued to penetrate and came close again to finding an equalizer when James Troisi burst into the area and almost found Carl Valeri with a low cross before halftime.

China appeared to take a 2-0 lead with a 77th minute penalty by substitute Zheng Zhi of English side Charlton, but it was disallowed due to movement by Chinese players ahead of the kick. When Zheng retook the shot, he fired wide of the goal.

Kewell, seeking another club following his injury-plagued five years at Liverpool, said after the match he is considering turning out for Australia at the Olympics.

But first he must sort out his club future and before that he wants a complete break from the game.

"I'm on holiday for a week or so and then I'll decide my future," Kewell said. "But for now I'm just going to relax."

Kewell said he was "in no hurry" to make his mind up amid media reports linking him to Italian club Roma.

"In this day and age, clubs take their time," he said. "There's a long way to go and a big process to go through, so I'm in no rush."