[3] However, China struggled against a highly defensive Qatar in the final game, only winning 1–0 courtesy of a 77th-minute goal from Xu Yunlong to top the group and reaching the quarter-finals.

Yet China failed to capitalise the opportunity and had to settle on a penalty shootout, which they won 4–3, with Yahya Golmohammadi missing Iran's crucial kick.

[6] As the defending champions, Japan were drawn in Group D with debutants Oman, alongside fellow powerhouse Iran and Thailand.

[11] Man of the Match: Shunsuke Nakamura (Japan) Assistant referees: Fathi Arabati (Jordan) Ali Al-Khalifi (Qatar)

Political tensions related to World War II, which later transcended into the field, would be further escalated by the defeat of the Chinese hosts to Japan.

The goal by Koji Nakata, later determined to be a clear handball, was controversially counted by the Kuwaiti referee despite complaints from the Chinese players.

For the Chinese team as well, this loss meant they had failed to lift the trophy twice, with its first hurdle happened in the 1984 when it lost to Saudi Arabia.