Australia's 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup™ campaign suffered a setback on Sunday night after a narrow 1-0 defeat to China PR in the second Group D fixture.
The Olyroos thought they had snatched a point deep into extra time when Giuseppe Bovalina bundled the ball over the line at the back post, but a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review showed the Australian's hand touched the ball and the goal was disallowed.
Head coach Tony Vidmar made three changes from the opening game against Thailand, with Manchester United's James Overy and Perth Glory duo Nathanael Blair and Kaelan Majekodunmi making their first starts of the tournament.
The young Aussies dominated possession of the ball for the first half hour but were unable to create chances against a resolute China PR defence.
Tony Vidmar's men started to penetrate their opposing penalty box ten minutes out from half time when a marauding run from Aydan Hammond ended with a collision in the area, but the referee dismissed penalty appeals from the Australians.
Before the interval, captain Ethan Alagich managed to find space outside the box to create two half chances, but both of his ambitious efforts sailed over the bar.
Six minutes from the break, Aydan Hammond again sparked penalty shouts when his quick feet created a dangerous moment near the byline, but the referee once again waved play on.
However the game was flipped on its head in the 43rd minute when China PR broke the deadlock.
A free kick from Wang Yudong, floated into the box, was initially cleared but only towards the penalty spot where Peng Xiao thrashed a ferocious volley that goalkeeper Steven Hall could do nothing about. It was China PR's first shot on target.
A few minutes after the break, Wang Yudong's free kick prowess concerned the Australians again, but thankfully for Tony Vidmar's men the effort wizzed past the far post without getting a touch from the lunging attackers.
China PR continued that momentum into the early stages of the second half with Li Zhenquan shooting just wide and hitting the side netting from close range.
Momentum then swung back towards the Olyroos, who finally tested goalkeeper Hu Hetao, with two great chances around the hour mark - first, having Nathanael Blair denied from just outside the six yard box after a cutback from James Overy, and then again when a spectacular point-blank save kept out Yaya Dukuly from an even closer range.
A third penalty appeal from the Australians then came in the 68th minute when Ethan Alagich was brought down just inside the box, but nothing was given after a VAR review.
Tony Vidmar's side continued to push for an equaliser, with Luka Jovanovic attempting a 88th minute long range effort which was saved, and then again when the ball was spilled to Giuseppe Bovalina in a dangerous area but his effort in the first minute of extra time went over the bar.
Bovalina thought he had redeemed his wayward strike moments later when he managed to jostle the ball into the back of the net, but those celebrations were cut short by the VAR review which spotted the handball.
The Aussies now turn their attention to their final group stage game against Iraq on Wednesday night (10:30pm AEDT).
Match Details
China: 1 (Peng Xiao 43')
Australia: 0
Date: Sunday, 11 January 2026
Time: 2.30pm (local) / 10.30pm (AEDT)
Venue: Al Shabab FC Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Broadcast: Paramount+
Australia Line Up:
1. Steven Hall
3. Joshua Rawlins
6. Kaelan Majekodunmi
8. Jordi Valadon (7. Jed Drew 84')
9. Nathanael Blair (16. Luka Jovanovic 77')
10. Aydan Hammond (5. Giuseppe Bovalina
58')
11. Yaya Dukuly (13. Ariath Piol 77')
14. Ethan Alagich
15. Nathan Paull
21. James Overy
23. Mathias Macallister (17. Jaylan Pearman 58')
Subs not used:
2. Aidan Simmons
4. Kane Vidmar
12. Lachlan Allen (GK)
18. Dylan Peraic-Cullen (GK)
19. Marcus Younis
20. Louis Agosti
22. Marcus Humbert
China Line Up:
2. Hu Hetao
3. He Yiran
4. Umidjan Yusup (13. Wang Bohao 81')
6. Xu Bin
8. Mutellip Iminqari (21. Bao Shengxin 70')
9. Behram Abduweli
10. Wang Yudong (14. Yang Haoyu 81')
15. Peng Xiao
16. Li Hao
20. Li Zhenquan (19. Zhang Aihui 81')
23. Yang Xi
Subs not used:
1. Luan Yi
5. Liu Haofan
7. Xiang Yuwang
11. Kuai Jiwen
12. Huo Shenping
17. Bao Shimeng
18. Chen Zeshi
22. Mao Weijie
Yellow cards:
Yang Xi 45', Li Zhenquan 57', Jaylan Pearman 75'
Red cards:
Nil
Upcoming Fixtures
Iraq v Australia
Wednesday, 14 January 2026
Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Riyadh
Kick-off: 2:30pm local / 10:30pm AEDT
Broadcast: Paramount+