KUALA LUMPUR - China drew with Iran 2-2 in a hard-fought match while South Korea suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Bahrain in the 2007 AFC Asian Cup group stage on Sunday.

China got an early lead only six minutes into the game when Shao Jiayi sent the ball home with a brilliant freekick.

Left winger Mao Jianqing doubled the lead in the 33rd minute when the young talent blasted the ball home in the box.

Iran's midfielder Ferydoon Zandi scored with a pinpointed freekick at the end of the first half while Javad Nekounam leveled the score for Iran in the 74th minute with a header.

In Jakarta, South Korea took an early lead through Kim Do Heon but its slack defense allowed Salman Isa Ghuloom to equalize just before half-time.

In the second half, Ismaeel Abdullatif scored a late goal, sealing the victory for Bahrain.