Xu Yunlong, the only Beijing-based player in China's squad, sent his nation into the knockout stages of the tournament and made sure they'd play their remaining matches in the capital, scoring the only goal in last night's 1-0 victory over Qatar.

Just as it was throughout their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, China dominated but without Hao Haidong lacked the incisive touch. Just as it was throughout their 2002 World Cup qualifying campaign, the set-piece proved to be their salvation.

Playing on his home ground, Xu, who was included for the first time in the competition in place of Wei Xin, headed home a Li Weifeng knockdown from a right wing corner in the 77th minute to guarantee China would finish top of Group A. It was the mirror image of the goal that defeated Hong Kong in Siu Sai Wan in March.

Hao Haidong was the scorer then, but the acid test for China and especially for Arie Haan's future plans was whether the team could thrive without his presence. The Dalian veteran's game does not exactly fit with Haan's football philosophy and his age means he fits only in future plans if there are no better options.

If Shenzhen Jianlibao striker Li Yi didn't exactly prove that he was ready to lead China's attack, Shao Jiayi definitely showed he was ready to drive it. The star of the show in the demolition of Indonesia, Shao was at the core of everything, his crosses caused consternation consistently.

They key moment was in the 17th minute when the 1860 Munich playmaker sent a teasing ball in, drawing goalkeeper Qasem Burhan out and into a bruising collision with Li Yi. Four minutes of treatment to a head injury and the keeper continued; gingerly, his enthusiasm visibly diminished.

Shao's 27th-minute free-kick curled just wide of the post without Qasem reacting. Li Ming's cross was greeted with reluctance, too. Unfortunately, Li Jinyu didn't register and lifted hurriedly over the bar.

At the other end, the pace of Qatar's new-look attack - Seyd Bechir and Waleed Hamzah - threatened, as with all the Arab sides on the counter-attack, without delivering: most palpably three minutes before the interval when Seyd Bechir escaped the shackles of Shenzhen pair Zheng Zhi and Li Weifeng only to shoot limply into Liu Yunfei's arms.

Li Weifeng also found himself outpaced early in the second half, this time by Hamzah, a former Asian Youth Player of the Year. His shot, from a tight angle, was crisp and not particularly well dealt with by Liu Yunfei.

The news at half-time that Bahrain were leading 1-0 in Jinan did little to change the nature of the game. China on the other hand were creating pressure, much as they did in the first half, without creating clear chances.Wisely, Haan brought Sun Jihai on for Li Jinyu with 20 minutes left. Dalian's Olympic team defender Zhang Yaokun was added to the fray and Shao removed to allow Zhang Zhi to push forward. Finally, China broke through.

Li Weifeng towered at the far post sending the ball bouncing towards the centre of the goal, where the hometown hero Xu was waiting to apply the finishing touch.