Nestory Irankunda once again proved decisive for Brad Maloney’s side as he scored a brace and registered an assist for Miguel Di Pizio’s emphatic sealer in Shepparton on Sunday afternoon.

The visitors negotiated the majority of the second-half with 10 players when Cui Taixu’s stray boot caught the face of Irankunda on 50 minutes.

Needing just a point to guarantee top spot, due to boasting a superior goal difference to China, Australia settled the quickest of the two sides and they would open the scoring inside seven minutes thanks to Irankunda.

The speedster dribbled past three defenders before being fouled inside the box and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

Irankunda confidently dispatched the ensuing spot-kick and performed his trademark backflip as he ran off in celebration.

Maloney’s side maintained the pressure in the minutes after taking the lead but their wastefulness in front of goal proved costly.

Max Hately was unable to capitalise on a defensive error, shooting wide his one-on-one attempt, and then squandered a shot from point-blank range.

Peter Antoniou’s accurate low cross found the striker but his attempt was spectacularly saved by goalkeeper Xie Gongbo.

In the 23rd minute, a second penalty was awarded for the hosts this time for a blatant handball, arising from a seemingly innocuous situation.

But the Subway Joeys failed to take advantage with Hately slipping at the critical moment and seeing his penalty land wide of the target.

And almost instantly China made the Green and Gold pay after Wang Yudong got on the end of a corner to equalise with a simple tap in.

On the stroke of half-time, Antoniou’s near-post effort almost squeezed in but was parried away in the final action of the first 45 minutes.

Before both sides could really settle following the restart, China was reduced to 10 players when Taixu was adjudged to have made dangerous contact with Irankunda.

From that point on it was the Aussies with the ascendancy and they finally found the breakthrough via a lovely bit of composure from the Adelaide United winger.

The 16-year-old brought a loose ball down before steering his clinical, left-footed finish across the goalkeeper on 65 minutes.

He would then turn provider five minutes later when his square pass spotted an unmarked Di Pizio, and the midfielder unleashed a brilliant strike from distance to put the game to bed.

China thought they had grabbed a goal back off a set-piece but the assistant referee immediately raised his flag for offside as Australia made it three victories from three in front of 1,117 spectators in attendance.

Subway Joeys 3 (Irankunda 7' (p) 65', Di Pizio 70') China 1 (Yudong 25')  Date: Sunday, 9 October 2022  Venue: Shepparton Sport City Precinct  Kick-Off: 3.00pm AEDT  Broadcast: Live & Free on the My Football YouTube Channel Match Attendance: 1,117 (Tournament total: 2,768)

Player of the Match: 17. Nestory IRANKUNDA  

Australia Lineup: 1. Anthony PAVLESIC, 2. Peter ANTONIOU, 3. Sotiri PHILLIS, 4. Andriano LEBIB, 8. Corey SUTHERLAND, 10. Miguel DI PIZIO, 14. Andre PARKES (21. Fabian TALLADIRA 61’), 17. Nestory IRANKUNDA (16. Jaylan PEARMAN 81'), 9. Max HATELY (19. Mitchell GLASSON 30’), 20. Campbell DOVISON 

Substitutes not used: 5. Xavier SMITH, 6. Ryan KALMS, 7. Tiago QUINTAL, 11. Ayman GULASI, 12. Michael VONJA, 13. Jacob MCLACHLAN, 15. Zachary DE JESUS, 18. Gus HOEFSLOOT, 22. Lucas HERRINGTON, 23. Ben DUNBAR 

Group G Standings | AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers 

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? ramps up, we're throwing back to Australia's five previous appearances on the world stage!  Read on to look back at the Socceroos' 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign in South Africa, or find out more about our 2018, 2014, 2006 and

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? ramps up, we're throwing back to Australia's five previous appearances on the world stage!  Read on to look back at the Socceroos' 2014 FIFA World Cup campaign in Brazil, or find out more about our 2018, 2010, 2006 and 1974 ap

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? ramps up, we're throwing back to Australia's five previous appearances on the world stage!  Read on to look back at the Socceroos' 1974 FIFA World Cup campaign, or find out more about our 2018, 2014, 2010 and 2... appearances

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? ramps up, we're throwing back to Australia's five previous appearances on the world stage!  Read on to look back at the Socceroos' 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign in Russia, or find out more about our 2014, 2010, 2006 and 1974 a

As the countdown to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022? ramps up, we're throwing back to Australia's five previous appearances on the world stage!  Read on to look back at the Socceroos' 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign in Germany, or find out more about our 2018, 2014, 2010 and 1974 a

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