Marcello Lippi side earned all three points in Korea Republic clash

Yu Dabao's first half header breathed life into China's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a 1-0 win over Korea Republic on Thursday night.

Yu's goal from a Wang Yongpo corner proved enough for the hosts to register their first win in Group A in front of a passionate home crowd.

With China having taken the lead after 34 minutes, Korea came close to an equaliser shortly before half-time when a Ji Dong-won header flashed narrowly over the bar.

China were then indebted to some excellent goalkeeping from Zeng Cheng who denied Ji and teammate Ki Sung-yueng after the interval.

Photo: Lagardère Sports