Hosts South Korea continued their dominant record against China by edging the visitors 3-2.

South Korea got the final round of qualification for the 2018 FIFA World Cup off to a perfect start with a thrilling 3-2 win over China at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Thursday evening.

The deadlock was broken midway through the first half as Zheng Zhi put the ball into his own net and two goals in quick second half succession from Lee Chung-yong and Koo Ja-cheol seemingly set the hosts on the way to a deserved win only for late goals from Hai Yu and Hao Junmin to ensure a tense finish.

"In the last 15 to 20 minutes, it was frustrating to let China back into the game through our mistakes," said South Korea coach Uli Stielike.

"The first goal came because of our mistake and then the second goal damaged us mentally for awhile but the important point is that we won a tough first game. We have to play well for 90 minutes and not just 70 minutes."

South Korea controlled possession in the opening exchanges but struggled to create a chance until the 21st minute when they took the lead.

China were lucky that Zhang Linpeng's foul on Oh Jae-suk came just inches outside the area but the relief was short-lived.

Son Heung-min whipped the free-kick into a crowded box and Ji Dong-won shot towards the goal from close range with the ball deflecting off Zheng Zhi and into the back of the net.

Two minutes later, Ji headed a right-sided free-kick from Son just to the left of the Chinese net as the game started to open up.

China were struggling but came close after 27 minutes. A long ball from defence freed Wu Lei behind the South Korea backline but Hong Jeong-ho came over quickly to block the shot from the Shanghai SIPG star.

Five minutes before the break, Wu had another good chance after a defensive mix-up in the South Korea area but pulled his first-time low shot well wide of the post.

Wu had the first chance of the second half, robbing the casual Ki Sung-yueng of possession in the area and firing a fierce shot just over the bar.

China, looking to appear at a first FIFA World Cup since 2002, were pushing the hosts back but ten minutes after the restart Koo Ja-cheol freed Son only for the Tottenham Hotspur attacker to shoot over from a tight angle.

The second goal that South Korea had been searching for came just after the hour. Ji Dong-won floated over a perfect cross from the left byline and Lee Chung-yong rose above Ren Hang at the far post to send a powerful header downwards and out of Zeng Cheng's reach.

Ji was involved in the hosts' third after 66 minutes, flicking on Son's low left-sided cross into the path of Koo at the far post whose shot from close range hit the post and bounced in.

The game seemed over but with 15 minutes remaining Yu Hai took advantage of poor defending to shoot home from inside the area.

Moments later, Hao Junmin curled home a perfect free-kick past the despairing dive of Jung Sung-ryong.

The momentum was now with China and the visitors poured forward but South Korea hung on for the three points.

"South Korea has more experience than China but I don't know if the three goals were because of experience or luck," said China coach Gao Hongbo.

"Our players gave their all for 90 minutes and I am satisfied with the technique and determination they showed tonight. We scored two and kept going till the end.

"This is the first game and we have to make allowances for our lack of experience. I think that we will have a better team after the next five or six games."

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