Petrovic initially defended Energie Cottbus midfielder Shao's miss during the post-match press conference, and said 'luck' was needed in penalties.

But the mood soon changed as the loss of two points in the so-called Group of Death sunk in. China now have just two points from two matches in Asian zone World Cup group A qualifying, having earlier drawn 1-1 with Iraq.

Speaking through a translator, the usually cool Serb said: 'During training, [the players] were not so serious in penalty training. They fooled around. They think, 'No problem'.'

The former Yugoslavian and Red Star Belgrade striker broke into English: 'I played football, and I [was] the best penalty taker. I know how to prepare players for penalty taking.

'But some of the difficult players don't understand me in training and don't take me seriously enough. I think now that they have missed, they might think: 'I should watch and look [at what the coach is teaching them]'.'

But as 32,000 disappointed fans filed out of the Tuodong Stadium, many questioned the coach's surprise tactic to sit back deep, which failed to close down an Australian side missing key players and struggling at 1,900 metres above sea level.

China's security services were out in force for the match and scores of People's Armed Police - with teargas launchers and riot shields at the ready - cordoned off angry fans from the players after the match, but there were no reports of violence.

It was clear from the kick-off the Chinese were hoping the Australians would tire quickly in Kunming's high altitude.

And despite starting the second half strongly with attacking wing backs Zhang Shui and Sun Xiang penetrating down the flanks and providing service to striker Han Peng, Petrovic's side were woefully wasteful.

The Australians kept their cool and ran their socks off to the delight of the 300-plus Socceroos fans.

Petrovic usually does not criticise his players in public. But with another disappointing performance fast on the heels of the humiliating East Asian Cup third-place showing against regional rivals Japan, North Korea and South Korea last month, he sided with the supporters and blamed his players for a lack of passion.

'[The players] must take responsibility for their positions and they need to have a stronger mentality,' said Petrovic, who now has the hard task of turning around the side's fortunes for the next qualifier against Qatar in June.

A distraught Shao apologised to his teammates and fans after his penalty miss. 'We should have won the game but we didn't because I missed the penalty kick,' he told Agence France-Presse. 'I really feel bad about this. If China do not qualify in the end, then it is my fault.'

Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek said he came to China to win but said the draw was a 'fair result', especially after lone striker Archie Thompson was injured by a crunching tackle from Feng Xiaoting.

'I couldn't see the penalty. But I was very pleased that Mark held the ball. I cannot single out a man of the match. They were all outstanding,' said Verbeek. 'I was surprised how the Chinese sat back, especially in the first half. I expected them to put us under pressure.'

In Shanghai, South Korea were frustrated by stubborn North Korean defending as their showdown ended in a goalless stalemate.

Fifa ordered the move to Shanghai after fiercely patriotic North Korean officials refused to let the South use their flag and anthem in Kim Il-sung Stadium in Pyongyang.

South Korea lead group three on goal difference from the North.