Tall substitute goalkeeper Yanru Zhang was all that stood between Australia and the women's Asian Cup trophy as China stole a thrilling victory on penalties at Hindmarsh Stadium.

Having pulled a 2-0 deficit back to 2-2 at the end of 90 minutes, China subbed on Zhang near the end of extra time, and she responded by athletically saving the efforts of the Matildas' Collette McCallum and Joanne Peters.

Sally Shipard and Alicia Ferguson converted for the home side, but the Chinese struck all four of their penalties past Australian keeper Melissa Barbieri, striker Duan Han ramming home the last to end the shoot out at 4-2.

After a match he joked had taken about five years off his life, Matildas coach Tom Sermanni said Zhang had been the difference.

"She's a big girl, she filled up half the goal, and I think it's one of those things where you bring on somebody fresh, you don't know if it's going to work or not, and it did," he said.

"Her save off Jo Peters was an outstanding save." Despite the loss, the day rounded off an outstanding introduction to Asian football for Australia, with Sermanni full of praise for his team.

"When you put a team out on the park and they give you every last drop they can give you in their effort and discipline and the way they play, you can't ask for any more," he said. "They were sensational against a very good Chinese side." The Australians qualified for the 2007 World Cup in China when they defeated Japan in the semi-finals on Thursday, and had taken a strong first half lead through goals to Caitlin Munoz and Peters, before the Chinese scored twice in five minutes midway through the second half to set-up an extra period.

A raucous crowd, many of them Chinese supporters, crammed into the stadium grandstand for the kick-off, and eventually swelled to 5,138.

The Australians responded by scoring first after China had missed out on a pair of early chances.

Munoz fired a rasping effort from outside the box on 29 minutes, which Chinese starting keeper Wenxia Han only managed to deflect into the net via the post.

Australia's lead was doubled just four minutes later after a corner.

McCallum's delivery found Peters, whose first header rebounded off the Chinese defence only to give her another chance to nod home.

World No.8 ranked China was in no mood to surrender the game however, and after 22 minutes of second half pressure it pulled back to 2-1.

Han was put through on goal at the end of a typically intricate movement, and her finish skidded in at the near post, beyond the reach of Barbieri for Australia's first goal concession in more than 500 tournament minutes.

The Matildas' previously immaculate defensive record took another hit just five minutes later, when Xiaoxu Ma scored audaciously from a short corner.

At 2-2 with just over 15 minutes to play, the tiring Australians defended deep, and somehow managed to hold out for extra time.

It was a commendable effort, particularly considering the loss of Dianne Alagich and Davies to injuries and the limited effectiveness of captain Cheryl Salisbury due to a groin strain.

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