Youngster Sami Al Najei put the hosts in the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour after a quick exchange of passes on the edge of the area allowed the playmaker to rifle into the top corner beyond the helpless Yan Junling.

Al Najei doubled Saudi Arabia’s tally and his own just seven minutes before the break, moving into space at the far post to convert home a pinpoint cross from his Al Nassr teammate Sultan Al Ghannam, making it 2-0.

Saudi Arabia could have added a third goal seconds later as Fahad Al Muwallad dispossessed Li Ang then advanced into the box, firing from a narrow angle but his effort struck the side netting instead.

China PR head coach Li Tie made a double change during the break and his substitutes delivered instantly as A Lan sent a chipped pass behind the Saudi defence for Luo Guofo who expertly chested it down and struck on the half volley beyond the outstretched Mohammed Al Owais to half the deficit.

Saudi Arabia suffered a blow as goalkeeper Al Owais was stretchered off in the 68th minute, being replaced by Fawaz Al Qarni.

The Green Falcons were not affected and in fact added a third goal just three minutes later as substitute Firas Al Buraikan repeated his heroics from the previous game, scoring around exactly the same time. The forward was perfectly positioned to tap home Mohammed Kanno’s cross from the right to add his side’s third.

As the game looked headed to an end, China PR pulled one back through Wu Xi who collected the ball 25 yards out and unleashed a powerful low drive that beat Al Qarni and ended in the bottom corner to make it 3-2.

Wu’s goal proved too little too late as coach Herve Renard’s men continued their perfect run in Group B, overtaking Australia into the top spot with 12 points, while China PR remained fifth with three points.