The Socceroos, missing most of their frontline stars, lost 1-0 to a full-strength Chinese line-up in front of a crowd of more than 70,000 at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

A 12th minute goal from Sun Xiang settled the issue, with China missing a re-taken penalty in the 76th minute.

The result was largely meaningless as Australia had already booked their passage to the next phase of qualifiers, while China was already out of contention.

"It was for us a good experience but I cannot be happy about the result," he said.

"The players are still young and talented and have to improve.

"They will get a lot of experience in the Olympics and we will find out if they are good enough to be part of the next qualification (phase).

"We are prepared. If you want to go to the World Cup you have to be the best two in the group (in the next stage of qualifying) and that's the plan."

Asked if he had any preferences ahead of the draw for the final round of qualifiers on Friday, Verbeek replied: "No, I think it will be difficult anyway. They all did well during the qualification rounds.

"Whatever team you get, the away game is always difficult.

"If it's Uzbekistan or (United Arab) Emirates or Qatar or Iraq or Japan - whatever it is it will not be easy - but that is okay.

"Whatever we get we know we have to win the home games - that's the most important."