Qatar beat China 1-0 courtesy of a first half penalty in Asian qualifying for the 2010 World Cup in Tianjin on Saturday, leaving their hosts with a mountain to climb if they are to make it to South Africa. China now trail the Qataris by four points with two matches remaining as the two countries effectively battle it out for the second qualifying position from Group One behind leaders Australia.
The match was decided in the 14th minute when a free kick was swung into the Chinese penalty area and striker Gao Lin was adjudged to have pulled back a Qatari defender. The referee pointed to the spot and Qatar's Uruguayan-born striker Sebastian Quintana calmly sent goalkeeper Song Zhenyu the wrong way.
China battled hard to get back into the game and skipper Zheng Zhi continued to look dangerous even if his forward line lacked the height to trouble the Qatari defence from his crosses. China face Iraq in Tianjin next weekend before their last group fixture in Australia on June 22. Qatar host the Australians next week and face Iraq in the final round of matches.