TIANJIN (China), June 7: China crashed 1-0 to Qatar Saturday, leaving their bid to qualify for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa in tatters.

A Sebastian Soria penalty in the 14th minute was enough to earn Qatar the vital victory, putting them on seven points in Group 1 alongside Australia, who play later in the day against Iraq in Dubai.

Qatar’s lone goal came when Lebanese referee awarded them a penalty after forward Gao Lin brought down Yusef Ali in the box. Uruguayan-born striker Soria slotted the ball into the right side of the net, with Chinese goalkeeper Sun Zhenyu sent the wrong way.

In the 11th minute, Chinese captain Zheng Zhi beat his man near the right touchline and blasted over a cross to Zhu Ting whose right-footed flick hit the post.

But the chances soon dried up for China as the Qatari back line, anchored by Brazilian-born defender Marcone Ameral, repeatedly frustrated their advances.

In the second half, China appeared tentative and overly patient in their attack, while the Qataris packed their back line and were content to run time off the clock.

Qatar could have made it 2-0 with 18 minutes left but Soria’s free kick was scrambled clear by ‘keeper Sun.—AFP