China powers past Bahrain for second World Cup qualifying win

China edged past a resilient Bahrain 1-0 on Thursday to claim their second win in the final round of Asian qualifying for the 2022 World Cup.

Yu Dabao's close-range finish in the 57th minute sealed the victory for China, who moved up to second in Group B with six points from four matches.

China is now level on points with leaders Saudi Arabia, who they face in their next qualifier on Oct. 12.

Bahrain, who had held out well for much of the match, dropped to fourth place with three points from four games.

China started the match brightly, with Wu Lei firing wide from a good position in the opening minutes.

Bahrain gradually grew into the game and had chances of their own, with Abdulla Yusuf twice going close.

The breakthrough came in the 57th minute when Zhang Yuning's cross found Yu unmarked at the back post and he made no mistake from close range.

Bahrain pushed for an equalizer in the closing stages, but China held on for a vital victory.

The win was China's first in the final round of Asian qualifying since 2004 and gives them a much-needed boost in their bid to reach the World Cup for the first time since 2002.