China has failed to clinch its 11th consecutive Asian Cup ticket with a game to spare after a nil-nil home draw with Saudi Arabia.

Fu Bo, the caretaker manager of China, made five changes in the starting lineup of Tuesday’s qualifier in the northwest Chinese city of Xi'an.

In the 17th minute, Jiang Ning got a one-on-one chance after beating the Saudi offside trap from Zhang Xizhe’s long pass, but Saudi defender Fallatah kicked the ball out of the line.

There was a controversial moment before the injury time of the second half when sideback Zhang Linpeng was tackled down in the Saudi box; however, South Korean referee Kwon Jong Chul refused to award a penalty to the hosts.

China are now in second place in their group with two points ahead of third placed Iraq. The draw means they need at least another draw to secure the qualification in the last round against Iraq.