South Korea’s men's national football team beat China 3-2 in their first match of the final Asian qualifying round for the 2018 Russia World Cup.

In the packed Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday, South Korea scored their first goal in the 21st minute, when Ji Dong-won’s header was deflected off Chinese midfielder Zheng Zhi into the net.

Lee Chung-yong was on point in the 63rd and Koo Ja-cheol extended the lead to 3-0 three minutes after.

However, China started off an impressive comeback by producing two goals in a space of three minutes. Yu Hai struck home in the 73rd minute and Hao Junmin in the 76th, but China's last-spurt effort to earn a point came short.

South Korea, led by German coach Uli Stielike, will next face Syria on Tuesday at Paroi Stadium in Malaysia. Team Korea will depart for Malaysia on Saturday.

In the six-team Group A, Iran stays atop the table leading South Korea by goal differential after beating Qatar 2-0 at home on Thursday. 

South Korea, looking to compete in their ninth consecutive World Cup, is in second place on goal difference.