SHARJAH, March 5 -- Misfiring China were beaten 3-1 by Iraq in their last and crucial Group C match of Asian Cup qualifiers here on Wednesday, but advanced to the finals of Australia 2015 on goal difference.

The 2004 Asian Cup runners-up could have sealed a finals' spot as the group's runners-up with an undefeated record.

China, however, failed to impress new head coach Frenchman Alain Perrin, just cashed a penalty kick in the mid of the second half after conceding three goals, and survived as the best-performing third-placed team among five groups.

With the 3-1 victory, the 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq qualified for the 2015 finals in Australia as Group C's runners-up with nine points, trailing leaders Saudi Arabia.

Saudi have secured their berth as unstoppable top finishers before kicking off the last round hosting Indonesia later on Wednesday.

Thanks to a double action from veteran Younis Mahmoud, Iraq led China 2-0 at halftime as the 31-year-old forward opened scoring on 23 minutes with a solo run and tipped in a rebound in the 42nd minute.

Turkish Premiership club Rizespor's Iraqi defender Ali Adnan enlarged the lead to 3-0 on 59 minutes, and China pulled a goal back through a 72-minute penalty from substitute midfielder Zhang Xizhe.

Seven years ago, it was Younis who led the West Asian powerhouse to win the 2007 Asian Cup.

Lebanon had been the other hopefuls behind China as they visited Thailand in Group B at the same time. Dramatically, the 5-2 victory only helped them tie China on eight points but with one goal short.