Jackson Irvine stars as Socceroos clinch key World Cup qualifying win over China

China 0-2 Australia with Nishan Velupillay also on target again
Victory in Hangzhou sets up showdown in Saudi Arabia in June

Jackson Irvine further established himself as the face of the Socceroos, Nishan Velupillay netted his third goal in just his fourth senior international, and Australia weathered a second-half storm to take another step towards securing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 win over China.

Given that the worst part of it may have come 1,900km away in Saitama, where Saudi Arabia held Japan to a 0-0 draw to stay within touching distance in their qualification group, it was a good evening for still undefeated national team boss Tony Popovic and his side at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium.

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