China's goalkeeper Wang Dalei reacts after his team's 2-0 loss to Australia in their AFC Asia Cup quarterfinal soccer match in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015. [Photo/IC]

Perrin said that the Chinese players were distracted as one of their defenders fell inside the penalty box when Cahill performed his first successful shoot.

After the goal, the Socceroos were very much motivated and the Chinese team had encountered more difficulties in defense.

Cahill is a very talented and capable player, Perrin said, adding when facing a player like him, lost of concentration, even in a short while, will lead to a different result.

Perrin admitted that the players were very disappointed.

Goalie Wang Dalei, who made same vital saves to avoid enlarging the gap with their opponent, said his team had a chance before Australia’s first goal. “We tried our best and did what our coach wants us to. Unluckily we played the host,” he said during the post-match interview.

Bai Yansong, a CCTV anchor and also a sport critic said in his micro blog that China’s top eight spot means more than the runner-up finish in the 2004 Asian Cup.

The following are how their home and international fans love their team:

A Chinese fan holds a banner reading "we are contented" after the match. [Photo/Agencies]