AL-AIN, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) -- Gao Lin converted a penalty to give China a 2-1 comeback win against Thailand in the Asian Cup round of 16 on Sunday.
Supachai Jaided broke the deadlock for Thailand in the first half but second-half goals from substitute Xiao Zhi and Gao Lin led China, the runners-up in 1984 and 2004, to the last eight of the tournament.
Both sides were struggling to create clear openings, until Thailand's Tanaboon Kesarat fired a powerful freekick from outside the box tipped over by Yan Junling in the 23rd minute. Thailand worked another good chance four minutes later, but Supachai Jaided's shot inside the box just wide of the far post.
With the half-hour approaching and China yet to create a clear-cut chance as their top-scorer Wu Lei spending much of his time to coming deep to collect the ball.
Thailand, who have reached the knockout stages of the Asian Cup for just the second time, took the lead at the 41st minute when Supachai Jaided scored from close range following a set piece.
China could have levelled three minutes after the break when Gao Lin set up Wu Lei, whose strike was terriblely missed. Yu Dabao were close to pull China back in the 60th minutes but his close-range shot was straight at Thailand's goalkeeper Siwarak.
China took off Yu Dabao and introduced Xiao Zhi after 64 minutes, which made an instant impact two minutes later as Xiao got the goal from a fine cross from caption Zheng Zhi.
The Team Dragon then pressed and started getting more decent deliveries into the box, they were rewarded in the 71st minute when Gao Lin earned a penalty and scored the winner from the spot with 20 minutes remaining.
China will face the winners of the match between Iran and Oman in the quarter-final.
