China's qualifying hopes for the 2014 Brazil World Cup became slim after a key home 1-0 loss to Iraq in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on Tuesday.

Yu Hanchao of China (C) vies with players of Iraq during the 2014 World Cup Asian football qualification match in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, on Oct. 11, 2011. Iraq won 1-0. [Xinhua]

China got merely three points from the first three games and ranked the third, 6 points behind top seated Jordan and 3 behind second-placed Iraq. With three games to spare, China must beat Iraq in the back-to-back away game on Nov. 11 to change the dangerous situation.

Iraq captain Younis Mahmood took the winner with a nice tap-in following Mustafa Kareem's left wing low cross in the 45th minute.

China missed several golden chances in the game. Substitute midfielder Yu Hai's 87-min header facing a lonely keeper Mohammed Kassid went just a little wide of the post, while Du Wei's volley inside the box following a corner was tipped over by Kassid. Yu squandered another close-range opportunity in injury time.

China took some advantage at a sell-out Shenzhen Sports Center in the first half with more possession and threats. Midfielder Feng Renliang was the livewire in the left flank. The tricky player rounded his markers from time to time and provided some fine cross. Striker Gao Lin had two dangerous shots after some dazzling footwork, only to miss the target a little bit.

In the second half, China coach Jose Antonio Camacho brought on attackers Zhang Chengdong, Wu Pingfeng and Yu Hai, and change the 4231 formation to 442. And Iraqi right back Basem Abbas was sent off in the 65th minute, but the Iraqis finally resisted the pressure.