Iraq secured a place at the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia thanks to a 3-1 win over China.
China went into the Group C fixture in second place, needing only a draw to guarantee passage to the finals, but by half-time had a veritable mountain to climb.
A first-half double from Younis Mahmoud saw Iraq go into the break 2-0 up as China's chances of progression to the finals were disappearing rapidly.
Ali Adnan Kadhim made it 3-0 just before the hour-mark and although Iraq held on to a comfortable win, China's 73rd-minute consolation through Zhang Xizhe proved to be crucial as it ensured its final goal difference was minus one, securing its qualification by virtue of being the best third-placed team.
Group B's Lebanon was China's most dangerous threat to qualifying and looked to have made itself the best third-placed side after thrashing host Thailand 5-2.
Two goals from Hassan Maatouk helped Lebanon to a 5-1 lead going into the final 15 minutes and that scoreline would have been enough to guarantee progression by virtue of goals scored, but Adisak Kraisorn's 76th-minute consolation gave China the help it craved.
Malaysia ultimately came up short as well in Group D, despite a 2-1 win in Yemen to end the campaign on seven points, while it remained as you were at the top of the group after leader Bahrain drew 0-0 at Qatar, which follows it into the finals.
Oman confirmed its place after topping Group A after a comfortable 3-1 triumph over Singapore, while Jordan defeated Syria 2-1.
Vietnam notched its first win of the qualification phase as it cruised to a 3-1 victory against Hong Kong, but it was not enough to move it off the bottom of Group E.
UAE goes through to the finals after an unbeaten qualification, drawing 1-1 at Uzbekistan, which itself already had second secured.
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