=== USA '03: Aussies shock China with 1-1 draw ===

Carson, CA (My Sportsbook) - Australia shocked China by drawing with the 1999 World Cup finalists, 1-1 in Group D action at the Home Depot Center Thursday.

Heather Garriock scored for the Aussies in the first half, while China got a much-needed goal from Bai Jie in the second half to escape with a disappointing draw.

China, heavily favored to dethrone the defending champion U.S. side, had a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals with a win. However, the Chinese will have a tough battle with undefeated Russia on Sunday and will likely have to win to advance.

Australia will look to build on the draw when they face Ghana on Sunday.

Garriock scored in the 29th minute as Australia claimed a surprising 1-0 lead. Danielle Small fed the midfielder a perfect pass into the box and Garriock chased it down and slid it past China 'keeper Zhao Yan for the goal.

Just after the whistle was blown to start the second half, Jie leveled the match at one. Cheryl Salisbury tried to save the shot on the goalline, but Jie got the better as the Aussie could do nothing but kick the ball into the side of the net.

Australia goalkeeper Cassandra Kell was out of position for the goal and Zhang Ouying knocked it deeper into the area where Jie took advantage.

China went on a ferocious attack in the second half as Australia struggled to get any possession time. The team certainly responded to the halftime deficit as they moved the ball easily down the field.

However, the Matilda defense, led by the stalwart Salisbury would not give in.

China played many dangerous free kicks into the area only to be denied each time.

Sun Wen blasted a shot in the 84th minute well over the net as China showed signs of frustration.

Australia took the air out of the ball towards the end and looked content with a draw against the mighty Chinese.

Meanwhile, China has had trouble getting their potent offense on track. They looked shaky in their 1-0 win over Ghana last weekend and the Russians will be no easy task.

Wen nearly scored for China in the 40th minute, but Salisbury miraculously kicked the ball off the goalline, denying a sure finish for the Asians. The star defender slammed her shoulder into the side of the net en route to the great save, but came back into the game just a few minutes after being stretchered off.

Australia fired just two shots in the first half, despite holding the advantage. China wasn't much better with six.

Both defenses were tough in the early going as each team managed just one shot through the first 20 minutes.

Ying Liu had a chance to put China ahead in the eighth minute, but her shot from 20 yards ripped just wide of the post.

China was weak on the attack for much of the first half. Much of that had to do with the defensive prowess of Salisbury.

MATCH NOTES: The two sides are very familiar with each other having squared off 16 times. China has dominated with a 12-1-3 mark.