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ny hopes that the players of Indonesia's senior national soccer team would emulate the recent winning ways of their under-19 counterparts were dashed at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Tuesday night, with a 1-1 draw against China in a qualifying match for the 2015 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup.

A 1-1 draw is no shame against a strong Chinese side, but the result leaves Indonesia with it all to do if it is to qualify.

 In a strong group that, along with China, contains Iraq and Saudi Arabia, Indonesia is rooted to the bottom with one point and three games left to play.

Indonesia is still adrift of the automatic qualification places and is struggling even to finish third, which could provide a backdoor route to the 2015 finals if other results go Indonesia's way.

Bung Karno Stadium's usual cauldron of hostility was nowhere to be seen on Tuesday night, with the AFC banning Indonesian fans from watching the match live due to a series of firework incidents in Indonesia's previous qualifiers at the stadium.

With millions watching on TV, the Indonesian defense was already on the back foot in the space of two minutes, when China striker Yu Dabao met a cross from the right and shot but saw it blaze over the bar.

Minutes later, Yu again shot over to cap a shaky opening period for the home team.

Jacksen F. Thiago's men, lining up with four across the back and a midfield shield of three, were being forced to soak up serious pressure and must have been thankful when in the 12th minute, captain Boaz Solossa broke down right and attempted to cut inside only for the Chinese defender to cut him off. Boaz's striker partner Greg Nwokolo broke down the left minutes later with a mazy dribble, but was shepherded out to the corner flag by an efficient Chinese
defense.

The two attacks proved to be a rarity however, with normal proceedings being restored around the 30 minute mark after a mistake from Indonesian defender Tinus saw Chinese midfielder Wu Lei inches away from connecting with a cross from the right.

Six minutes later though, and the inevitable happened, when the wasteful Yu Dabao cleverly cut the ball back in the Indonesian penalty area and rolled the ball across the goal for Wu Xi to make it 1-0.

The ball was in the Indonesian net again on 42 minutes, with Indonesian goalkeeper I Made Wirawan stranded after having just saved a Chinese free kick, but the goal was judged to be offside.

Minutes before half time, coach Jacksen reacted to his team's slide by substituting attacker Slamet Nurcahyono ' who had up to that point looked the team's most inventive player ' with Titus Bonai.

Jacksen's decision was almost vindicated two minutes after the break, when Titus produced a fine save from the Chinese goalkeeper with flick header from a corner, the closest Indonesia had come to making an impression on the match.

Not to be deterred, China went in search of a second goal.

Chinese captain Zheng Zhi almost scored on 55 minutes, but his spectacular long range effort smashed off the bar and bounced clear.

Indonesian goalkeeper Made was being made to work, pushing another long shot away and seeing a header fizz just past his post.

Without the strike power of Sergio van Dijk or the pace of winger Andik Vermansyah ' the home side's players were struggling, but in fairness they faced a well-marshaled Chinese team that contained no less than three players from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande, which will play in this year's Asian Champions League final.

 Nevertheless, against the run of play, Jacksen's men found strength in adversity to level the scores when striker Boaz volleyed home in the 68th minute.

With Jacksen switching to a more adventurous 4-2-4 formation, 10 minutes later Indonesia threatened again, this time with wing back Ruben Sanadi, who rampaged into the Chinese penalty area from the left but powered his shot over the bar.

China's constant pressure with little to show for it appeared to be taking its toll, as the 88th minute, Indonesian winger Titus Bonai counterattacked down the left only to cross into the open arms of the Chinese goalkeeper.

Then in stoppage time, Indonesia had a golden chance to win the match when Greg broke into the Chinese half only to see his effort sail agonizingly wide of the post.

Jacksen will be happy with his team's second half performance, but with Indonesia still on one point, the task of qualifying for the Asian Cup appears to be out of reach.