Sebastian Quintana scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to put Qatar within sight of qualification for the final round of the Asian World Cup Qualifiers.

Quintana stroked home his spot kick after 14 minutes and from then on a stacked Qatar defence held out China, who dominated possession after going a goal down.

The wins moves Qatar up to seven points, level with Australia who play Iraq later on Saturday in Dubai.

China's hopes of progression look slim as they trail the leaders by four points with two games to play.

The hosts almost got off to the perfect start when, after 30 seconds, Qatar defender Junior Marcone could only direct his headed clearance as far as Gao Lin, who volleyed narrowly wide.

China then hit the post in the 11th minute with Zhu Ting denied after his improvised back-heel came back off the woodwork.

Despite China's bright start it was Qatar who took the lead three minutes later when Yusef Ali was pulled down in the box by Gao Lin.

Quintana then sent China goalkeeper Song Zhenyu the wrong way to break the deadlock.

The visitors then held out until the break with the home side struggling to break down their stubborn rearguard.

After the interval Zheng Zhi saw his curled 25-yard free-kick fly narrowly past the target, before the China captain was denied by Mohamed Saqr who saved at his feet after a superb through ball from Cao Yang.

Qatar were frustrating the hosts with their time-wasting tactics and emotions boiled over on the home bench with Sun Jihai sent to the dressing room for remonstrating with the referee.

In the end it was Qatar who could have doubled their advantage late on when Quintana forced a low save from Song Zhenyu.