China has not given up hope of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup despite languishing at the bottom of Group 1, coach Ratomir Dujkovic said on Wednesday.

China, which meets Iraq in a must-win qualifier on Saturday, is a point adrift of the Asian champion after last weekend's 0-1 defeat to Qatar.

Both teams need a win in Tianjin if they are to have any hope of overhauling Qatar and Australia for the qualifying spots.

"For China, to fight for three points is our only choice. Only if we manage to do this we can play the decisive battle against Australia," Dujkovic told reporters after training.

Australia lost 0-1 to Iraq last weekend but still shares the group lead with Qatar. The Socceroos are China's final opponents on June 22.

Serb Dujkovic described the Qatar defeat as "unacceptable" but said he had been encouraged by the reaction of his players.

"I found the players were talking about the qualifying situation within our group and I smiled," he told Titan Sports newspaper. "It is a positive signal that they hadn't given up.

"For the next match I hope everybody keeps the faith. In a group of four teams, a single match can change all situations."

All suspended

Playmaker Zheng Zhi has been struggling with injury but should be fit to captain China while Sun Jihai, Li Weifeng and Liu Jian are all suspended.

Iraq is boosted by its win over the Aussies who have several players playing in Europe.

"Our morale is high. Our goal is victory and only three points against China can help our chances," Iraq coach Adnan Hamad. "In the current situation, all the four teams have a chance and this group will not be decided until the last match day."

Australia meanwhile is looking to bounce back from its first defeat under coach Pim Verbeek by beating Qatar in Doha.

"So now we have lost one game, it just means we have to win one of the last two. It's as simple as that," said Verbeek, who is without West Ham defender Lucas Neill and suspended Torino midfielder Vince Grella.

"It would have been easier if we'd won. We could have relaxed, but now we have to prepare for what will be a tough game against Qatar."

China's road to 2010 World Cup was almost blocked here on Saturday when they lost 1-0 to Qatar at home in a crucial Asian Zone Group A qualifier. (Xinhua Photo)

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily June 13, 2008)