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China's World Cup hope rekindled with 1-0 victory over South Korea

 

China's Yu Dabao (L) celebrates his goal with Wang Yongpo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)

China's hope to qualify for the 2018 World Cup has been rekindled as Italian coach Marcello Lippi led Team Dragon to a 1-0 home win here on Thursday.

Yu Dabao headed in the Wang Yongpo corner in the 34th minute to give China the first win in six matches at the third phase of the World Cup Asian Zone qualifiers.

"Before the match, we knew the importance to win this match. And we worked hard to get the three points we must get. But it is not enough to win a ticket to World Cup. We need to continue this momentum and win the following matches," said Lippi, who will lead China to visit Iran on March 28.

For Yu, he and his teammates had to fight both the strong opponent and mounting pressure from expectant home fans.

"We were under great pressure before the game and now we have laid a good foundation with the three points," said Yu. "It has always been crucial to grasp whatever chances you have and thank the coach so much for believing in me."

The victory temporarily moved China out of the bottom of the 6-team Group A where Iran stands atop with 11 points from five matches, ahead of South Korea on 10 after six games. Uzbekistan sits in third with nine and Syria is fourth with eight. Qatar lies bottom of group after five matches.

With four games left, China, collecting five points in the provisional fifth place, still has chance to earn a qualification ticket. The top two in Group A and Group B will advance to Russia 2018 directly after a home-and-away round-robin, while the third-place finishers from both groups will have a playoff with the winner going on to face the fourth-placed team from CONCACAF zone for a berth.

"We still have space to improve. In the first half, we played too defensively in front of the opponent's pressure. Yu's goal from Wang's corner was what we trained lots of times in the past week," said Lippi. "It was not our best form and lineup. We can do better in the next match."

China took the lead after 34 minutes when Wang's inward curving corner found Yu at the near post, where the Beijing Guo'an striker glanced a precise header into the bottom-right corner.

Before halftime, Ji Dongwon was the visitor' most dangerous player, who had two shots both narrowly off target.

There were worrying times after the re-start for the host when goalkeeper Zeng Cheng, who was named man of the match after 90 minutes, made several brilliant saves to deny close shots from Ki Sungyueng and Ji Dongwon.

Both sides played open in the last 30 minutes. China threatened the visitor when substitute Wu Xi struck a long shot to force an excellent save from Kwoun Suntae.

Wu Xi then preserved China's lead with a dramatic goal-line clearance, blocking with his chest from a header by Hong Jeongho.

More than 30,000 fans cheered non-stop for their home team in the 95 minutes at He Long Stadium, where China improved their unbeaten record with five wins and four draws since 2005.


 

South Korea's Hwang Hee Chan (C) challenges China's goalkeeper Zeng Cheng during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

China's Wu Xi (R) and South Korea's Hong Jeongho vie for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

Team China greet their fans after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


 

China's head coach Marcello Lippi (C) and goalkeeper Zeng Cheng attend the press conference after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


 

China's Yu Dabao celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)


 

South Korea's Hong Jeongho (R) reacts while China's Yu Dabao lying on the pitch during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

Players from China and South Korea argue with each other during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


 

South Korea's Kwang Hee Chan (C) vies with China's Jiang Zhipeng during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

Players from China encourage each other during the second half of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


 

Players from China and South Korea argue with each other during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

South Korea's Jang Hyunsoo (front L) vies with China's Mei Fang during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

South Korea's Heo Yongjoon (L) vies with China's Jiang Zhipeng during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

China's Yu Dabao celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)


 

South Korea's Hwang Hee Chan (C) challenges China's goalkeeper Zeng Cheng during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

China's Zhang Xizhe (R) heads for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

China's head coach Marcello Lippi (C) and goalkeeper Zeng Cheng attend the press conference after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


 

China's Wu Xi (R) and South Korea's Hong Jeongho vie for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


 

China's Feng Xiaoting (L2) argues with South Korea's Hwang Hee Chan (R2) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


 

China's head coach Marcello Lippi reacts during the press conference after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


 

China's head coach Marcello Lippi waves during the press conference after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


 

South Korea's Jim Sin Su wipes the ball with a towel during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against China in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


Players of China listen to the national anthem of China ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Zhang Xizhe (C) vies with South Korea's Ki Sung Yueng (R) during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Wu Lei (R) vies with South Korea's Kim Jin Su during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi looks on ahead of 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


South Korea's Nam Taehee (R) heads the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


Team China celebrate Yu Dabao's goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Yu Dabao (R) celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Yu Dabao celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Yu Dabao (C) shoots for a goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's Yu Dabao (L) celebrates his goal with Wang Yongpo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)


China's Yu Dabao celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)


China's Yu Dabao (R) heads the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi looks on during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Zheng Zhi (L) vies with South Korea's Koo Ja Cheol during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Hao Junmin (L2) vies with South Korea's Koh Myongjin during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Feng Xiaoting (front R) vies with South Korea's Lee Jeonghyeop during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


China's Yu Dabao (R) vies with South Korea's Lee Yong during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi (L) gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's Zheng Zhi (R) vies with South Korea's Koo Ja Cheol during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's Yu Dabao (L3) heads the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi (L) gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's Yu Dabao (front R) celebrates his goal with Wang Yongpo during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi (R) gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's Hao Junmin (L) vies with South Korea's Nam Taehee during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


South Korea's Kim Shin Wook (R) kicks the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against China in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. South Korea lost 0-1. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


China's Yin Hongbo (L) vies for the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


South Korea's Hong Jeongho (front R) vie with China's Zheng Zhi during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. South Korea lost 0-1. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)


South Korea's Kim Jin Su (R) kicks the ball during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against China in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. South Korea lost 0-1. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


Team China greet their fans after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Kong Hui)


China's Wu Lei (L) vies with South Korea's Kim Jinsu during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


Zheng Zhi (L) of China celebrates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's head coach Marcello Lippi (front L2)celebrates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match between China and South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Cao Can)


Zheng Zhi of China celebrates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Li Ga)


China's Yu Dabao celebrates his goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Wang Yuguo)


Zheng Zhi of China celebrates after the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia qualification match against South Korea in Changsha, central China's Hunan province, March 23, 2017. China won 1-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

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