DUBAI - Charlton midfiedler Zheng Zhi grabbed a crucial equalizer as China fought out a 1-1 draw with Asian Cup holder Iraq in a 2010 World Cup Asian qualifier on Wednesday.

China's midfielder Zheng Zhi (third from left), also an international of Charlton Athletic celebrates his goal with teammates during a 2010 World Cup Asian qualifier against Asian champion Iraq in Dubai of United Arab Emirates February 6, 2008. China draw with Iraq 1-1. [Xinhua]

Left winger Taher Hawar put Iraq ahead with a cunning penalty in the 51st minute before Zheng levelled the score on 74 minutes when he headed home a corner kick from subsitute midfielder Wang Dong.

Iraq captain Khalef Younes suffered an injury while shooting and was substituted. Then the newly-crowned Asian champion seemed to have lost momentum and made a lot of mistakes in the first half.

The visitors wasted a clear chance on 23 mintues when forward Qu Bo jumped to blast a sharp volley following defender Sun Xiang's pass inside the box, but a concentrated Hassan Noor parried the shot with a diving save.

The hosts got further blow as midfielder Nashat Akram receieved his marching order in the 70th minute. China dominated the rest of the match, but wasted several good chances.

Australia trounced Qatar 3-0 earlier in the game of Group A, dubbed "the Group of Death".