Qatar's Bilal Mohammed, right, vies for the ball with China's Sun Jihai, during their Group 1 Asian World Cup qualifying soccer match at al-Sadd stadium in Doha, Qatar.

China's hopes of breaking into the 2010 World Cup finals were further frustrated by a goalless draw in an away match against Qatar early Tuesday.

Qatar remained second in Group One to Australia, which has seven points. Qatar has four, China three and Asian champion Iraq one.

The tie put the team in third place within the group, with a total score of three points from three games. Australia leads with seven points, followed by Qatar, with four.

China's Sun Xiang (R) controls the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification soccer match against Qatar in Doha, capital of Qatar, June 2, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

China doesn't pose a real threat to its rivals. Veteran players Sun Jihai and Han Peng contributed all of the team's shots, making them the only effective Chinese players on the pitch.

Qatar missed its best opportunity in the closing minutes of the game when their header was denied by the post.

China will play Qatar again on June 7 in the return leg of a double round-robin format.

China's Sun Jihai (front L) vies for the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification soccer match against Qatar in Doha, capital of Qatar, June 2, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

(CRIENGLISH.com June 3, 2008)