The Socceroos have stumbled again in their path to World Cup qualification, drawing 1-1 with China in Sharjah.
Entering the contest as hot favourites, dominating possession, and going 1-0 up in the 28th minute through a Mitch Duke header, the Socceroos will be disappointed with the draw.
A VAR call in the 66th minute confirmed a handball in the box from Australian midfielder James Jeggo, handing Chinese striker Wu Lei a penalty.
He buried the shot past keeper Mat Ryan, and the Chinese brought the intensity to finish the match strongly and ensure the draw.
Coach Graham Arnold lamented the turning point.
“Until the penalty there was pretty much only one team in the game and that penalty gave them energy,” Arnold told Channel 10.
Meanwhile, Ryan pointed to an issue that has plagued the Socceroos in recent games for the loss.
“Disappointing one tonight,” he said.
“I don't think we did enough and didn't create enough clear-cut chances.”
The draw was further soured by the news that Japan had beat Oman 1-0 overnight, meaning Australia drop back to third in Group B.
Saudi Arabia is on 16 points, Japan 12, and the Socceroos 11.
Only the top two in the group will be granted automatic qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The team will now have a break before must-win internationals in the new year against Vietnam and Oman.