Cheered on by a massive sea of red, China PR took the game to their opponents from the opening whistle but attempts by Zhang Yuning and Wang Yudong in the first 15 minutes were comfortably dealt with by the Bahrain defence.

Bahrain had their first shot on target in the 16th minute when Mahdi Humaidan unleashed a thunderous shot from some 20 yards that keeper and captain Wang Dalei pushed out at full stretch.

A cutback from the byline by Zhang in the 32nd minute found an unmarked Wang just outside the centre of the six-yard box, but the 18-year-old striker blasted the ball over the bar.

The youngster, making his second international appearance, had another go three minutes into the second half, but his tame header was easily handled by custodian Ebrahim Lutfalla.

The West Asian side proved the more menacing as the match wore on, but Ali Madan and Mahdi Abdul Jabar failed to capitalise on their chances while Komail Al Aswad and Mohamed Marhoon’s far-range efforts went sailing over the bar.

The hosts had their openings as well, with the tireless Wang making a darting run on the right across the face of goal in the 77th minute only to send his shot straight into Lutfalla’s arms.

China PR were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute after Hussain Al Eker was deemed to have handled the ball, and Wang, fittingly, converted to give the hosts a winning end to their campaign.