Fans cheer for the Chinese teram during a World Cup qualification match against South Korea in Changsha of Central China March 23, 2017.[Photo/VCG]

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.