Clinical first-half finishes by China duo Shao Jiayi and Mao Jianqing were matched by a Ferydoon Zahndi stunner before Javad Nekounam's 73rd-minute header completed the comeback.

China showed faith in the same starting XI that thumped Malaysia 5-1 in their opening game, while Iran, with coach Amir Ghalenoei watching from the stands after being sent-off during the victory over Uzbekistan, made only one change as Hossein Kaebi replaced Rasoul Khatibi.

In damp conditions at the Bukit Jalil National Stadium, China raced out of the blocks and nearly took the lead after only 19 seconds when Han Peng, scorer of two against Malaysia, flashed an acrobatic overhead volley inches over the bar.

The early drama continued as a Zhang Zhi corner was fumbled by Iran goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian and from the rebound Han found Zhang Yaokun, but the defender slashed his shot horribly wide.

The almost inevitable breakthrough came three minutes later when Roudbarian could only get a hand to Shao's free-kick after Nekounam fouled Han.

Mehdi Mahdavikia failed to find the target with a 25-yard free-kick before China, roared on by a small but noisy contingent of fans, nearly conceded an equaliser in bizarre fashion when Zandi's cross deflected off Han and went inches wide of China goalkeeper Li Lei Lei's right hand post.

Watched by their former head coach Bora Milutinovic, China stepped up the pressure on the three-time AFC Asian Cup winners by doubling the lead 12 minutes before the break.

Another stunning move saw Zheng's accurate delivery elude the onrushing Shao before finding its way to a completely unmarked Mao Jianqing, who rattled his shot past Roudbarian.

In stoppage time at the end a first half largely dominated by the energetic Chinese, Mahdavikia, who only seconds earlier had forced Li into a terrific diving save, rolled a free-kick to Zandi and with unerring precision found the net.

Having brought on Eman Mobali for Ali Karimi and Javad Kazemian, their match winner against Uzbekistan, in place of Hossein Kaebi at half-time, Iran started to press their opponents, with both Mobali and Vahid Hashemian trying their luck soon after the restart.

With the game becoming distinctly scrappy, China were content to defend deeper and soak up any pressure Iran could muster.

In the 70th minute, a dangerous-looking free-kick from Seyed Jalal Hosseini found Rahman Rezaei, but the Iran defender could only direct his header wide when well placed at the back post.

Iran's intense pressure eventually paid off just three minutes later as a right-wing cross eluded the China defence and Nekounam rose highest to head home past a helpless Li.

China responded quickly with Zhao, found by Zhu Ting, blasting a sweetly struck first-time volley only inches wide.