Australia's team members celebrating the only goal of their match against China.

Kuala Lumpur: Australia made a grand entrance at the AFC Under-19 Women's Championship when the Young Matildas beat favourites China PR 1-0 in a Group B match at Kuala Lumpur Cheras Stadium on Sunday.

Live-wire striker Sasha McDonnell became the first Australian, man or woman, to score in the finals of an AFC competition, turning in Collette McCallum's cross in the 54 th minute.

It was a deserved victory for Australia, whose systematic, physical approach left China with few answers. China had only two chances throughout the match, and both times they hit the woodwork.

Australian coach Alistair Edwards was delighted with his team's performance, having suffered at the hands of China in the past.

"I think we are pretty happy," said Edwards. "It was the first time we managed to beat China because we lost to 2-1 to them twice before.

"I think we learned a lot from the last games. But I still think China are among the favourites. We won this time but the match could have gone either way.

"We are just delighted to be playing in Asia and coming up against good teams such as China, the two Koreas and Japan."

China only came to life after Australia took the lead. Midfielder Zhuang Ran crashed a 25-yard shot against the post and striker Ma Xiaoxu hit the rebound wide despite facing an open goal.

Six minutes before the end, Zhuang hit the woodwork again when her free-kick from near the left touchline sailed over Australia goalkeeper Lydia Williams and bounced off the crossbar.

China coach Shang Ruiha said: "We had some chances to win the match but Australia deserved their victory. They played a very mature game and were very organised."

Australia's next Group B game is against hosts Malaysia on Tuesday while China take on Jordan.