China's dejected coach Vladimir Petrovic accepted the blame for his side's failure to qualify for the 2010 World Cup Sunday, while fans called for the head of the FA's top man.

China's 2-1 loss to Asian champion Iraq in Tianjin ended its quest for a berth in South Africa after three draws and two losses in Group One.

"Of course I am responsible, I have a lot of responsibility, but as far as what kind of responsibility, that is up to the football association to decide," said Petrovic.

The future of Petrovic, who teamed with China's Olympic coach and fellow Serb Ratomir Dujkovic to steer the national side, remains uncertain.

But according to fans, the real responsibility for China's underachievement lies with the head of the China Football Association (CFA) Xie Yalong.

"Sack Xie Yalong, sack Xie Yalong," fans at Tianjin's Olympic Stadium shouted, according to Sina.com, as China's dreams of another World Cup appearance went up in flames.

China scored a dismal two goals in its five matches in the so-called "Group of Death" that also included Qatar and Australia.

While accepting the blame, Petrovic also pointed to bad luck after Iraqi defenders cleared two goal-bound efforts off the line after 'keeper Noor Abbas had been beaten.

"Luck is a quintessential part of the sport and it evaded us," Petrovic said. "We had two golden chances. Unfortunately, they were both saved on the goal line."

Chinese football players leave the pitch after losing to Iraq 1-2 during the FIFA World Cup 2010 soccer qualifying match in Tianjin June 14, 2008. [Photo: Osports.cn]

( AFP via China Daily June 16, 2008)