Two World Cup Asian qualifiers in China ended up in goalless draws, while Saudi Arabia were shocked with a 3-0 loss at Uzbekistan on Wednesday.
Thanks to a heroic save from Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer against a late penalty from China, the Socceroos forced a 0-0 tie in Kunming, Southwest China, while DPR Korea and South Korea had no goals at both ends in Shanghai.
The Middlesbrough keeper Schwarzer blocked Shao Jiayi's penalty with his leg two minutes from time, giving Australia a valuable away point in Group 1.
After the match, Australia has four points from two matches following its opening 3-0 win over Qatar in a group that also contains reigning Asian champions Iraq, while China follows on 2 points from two draws.
Uzbekistan came out the team in Asia earning a perfect six points from two matches after upsetting Saudi 3-0 at home.
Timur Kapadze put the hosts ahead in added time at the end of the first half, star striker Maksim Shatskikh doubled it in the 65th minute, and Server Djeparov added the third on penalty two minutes later.
Saudi have three points from two games to temporarily sit on the third, while Singapore moved up to the second on goal difference after hosting Lebanon with a 2-0 victory in Group 4.
Later in other Asian qualifiers, Thailand was beaten 1-0 at home by Oman after conceding a goal just 26 seconds into the match.
(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2008)