Despite objections from Victory, the match was played in three periods of 30 minutes with free entrance for fans, although only a few hundred turned up.

"The rules change every five minutes. They want to make sure it's an exhibition match," said Victory chairman Geoff Lord before the game.

"It's changed four times since we've been here."

After a tepid start substitute Wang Dong opened the scoring in the second period, heading in a corner from the highly rated Zheng Zhi.

The former Charlton Athletic man was China's most dangerous player, registering the first shot on target -- a free-kick from distance after 24 minutes -- and tormenting the Victory defence with a run and shot.

Victory goal keeper Michael Theoklitos was also tested by a Zheng shot on 46 minutes while Wang came close with an audacious effort from the halfway line towards the end.

Victory midfielder Matthew Theodore almost shocked China 10 minutes into the last period with a ferocious shot that pole-axed defender Cao Yang.

No reason was given for the unusual rules although there was speculation China coach Zhu Guanghu, who has been threatened with the sack, was unwilling to risk losing a full match just days before the Asian Cup.

But the unconvincing result is unlikely to alleviate pressure on Zhu, who has been told by officials to reach the semi-finals "or else."

The match completes an unorthodox Asian Cup preparation for China, who fielded players from Hong Kong in Sunday's Reunification Cup victory over an ageing FIFA World Stars team.

China reached the final of the last regional showpiece but have failed to build on their success, dropping nearly 30 places in the FIFA rankings and failing to reach last year's World Cup.

They open their campaign against co-hosts Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on July 10.