China went 2-0 up with early goals from Shao Jiayi and Mao Jianqing but were pegged back by a Ferydoon Zandi free-kick and a Javad Nekounam header in the second half.

The result means it's all to play for in Group C where China, Iran, and Uzbekistan can qualify with one match left.

Iran and China are on four points, Uzbekistan have three while Malaysia props up the group with none.

China got off to a blistering start with Han Peng, a two-goal hero in the 5-1 demolition of Malaysia, hoisting an overhead above the bar in the opening seconds.

Reza Enayati nearly put a panicky clearance into his own goal and goalkeeper Hassan Roudbarian dropped a simple catch as China pressed the shaky Iranians into early mistakes.

And Roudbarian looked badly at fault for the opening goal as he was unable to keep out Shao Jiayi's blasted 35-yard free-kick on his near post after six minutes.

Rattled Iran were struggling to carve out chances and it was Zhou Haibin who nearly doubled China's advantage as he put his shot just wide from another free-kick.

But winger Mao Jianqing was gifted the second when he was picked out unmarked in the box by captain Zheng Zhi, with time to control the ball and beat Roudbarian -- again on his near post.

Iran finally came alive with Vahid Hashemian causing problems and skipper Mehdi Mahdavikia also having a shot blocked.

Mahdavikia then cued up Zandi on the stroke of half-time, tapping a free-kick on the right to the midfielder who rammed it round the wall and inside China 'keeper Li Leilei to wrap up a pulsating half.

But it was a very different second period with China intent only on defending their lead and Iran taking their turn to lay siege to the opposition goal.

Enayati and Rahman Rezaei missed close headers before Nekounam got his calibration right from a corner move, nodding down and into the bottom right of the goal to put Iran level.

Substitute Zhao Xuri put a shot wide but it was a rare foray forward for China, whose striker Han Peng joined scorer Mao and winger Wang Dong on the bench as coach Zhu Guanghu looked for the draw.

Iran pressed for the late winner but were unable to land the knock-out blow as the promising match petered out into a draw.