China PR almost found a way through as early as the third minute when Yimulan Maimaiti pounced on a stray pass before releasing Liu Chengyu down the centre, only for the forward to be flagged offside.

Kyrgyz Republic survived another scare in the eighth minute when Artem Istrashkin foiled Wang Yudong’s attempt from inside the box, before Wang floated a dangerous ball back into the box but it was too high for Liu Chengyu to finish with his head.

The home side took advantage of Kyrgyz Republic’s high defensive line five minutes later with Wang striding down the left flank unmarked before setting up Liu to slot home the opener from close range. 

The Central Asian side, who suffered a 5-1 defeat against Australia in their opening match, refused to give up and restored parity in the 25th minute with Madavinov initiating the move from the centre, releasing Argen Emilbekov, who cut the ball back to the Kyrgyz Republic forward, who curled his effort past China keeper Liu Qiwei.

A stung China PR came back fighting with efforts from Liu Chengyu, Peng Xiao and Mao missing the target, while Wang’s tame shot from a tight angle was easily saved by  Kyrgyz Republic keeper Aziret Ysmanaliev.

However, a clumsy challenge by Emir-Khan Kydyrshaev, who brought down Liu inside the box, provided China PR with the perfect opportunity to retake the lead with Wang netting from the spot on the stroke of half time.

Kyrgyz Republic had a dreadful start to the second half after Istrashkin collected his second yellow card just two minutes in for bringing down Wang at the edge of the area.

China PR capitalised on their numerical advantage in the 49th minute after Kuai Jiwen burst into the box before supplying Mao with the perfect cross to finish with a header into the bottom left corner.

Kyrgyz Republic, however, gave themselves renewed hope in the 64th minute after captain Atay Eshenkulov floated a long pass to Yryskeldi Madanov, who evaded his marker before slotting the ball past a diving Liu.

However, China PR restored their two-goal cushion in the 80th minute after Zhu beat the offside trap following Xiong Jizheng’s through ball, with the substitute adding another in the second minute of added time with a glancing header to send the hosts into the knockout stage in style.