The two sides, who had already qualified for the knock-out stage, played out an entertaining encounter at the Bangkok Arena.

The Japanese team took a 5-3 lead going into the final minute and held off a late Chinese surge to claim their third consecutive win.

Japan will face Group D runners-up Uzbekistan for a place in the last four, while China will go up against Iran.

Thailand will meet Chinese Taipei for a semi-final spot, while Vietnam play Indonesia.

All four quarter-finals are scheduled to take place on Wednesday (May 9).

Iran ended their group stage campaign in style with a 9-2 thrashing of Uzbekistan at the Indoor Stadium Huamark, but the defeated side made it through to the quarter-finals by virtue of their win over Turkmenistan earlier on at the tournament.

"This game was very important, because it decided whether we qualify in first place or second," said Japan coach Kenichiro Kogure.

"China is a very good team and we only had eight days worth of preparation. 

"We studied China, their good and bad points. 

"China played a good game with good spirit. 

"We’re getting better as we reach the quarter-finals."

In the other match played today, Lebanon edged Bahrain 3-2 in a dead rubber in Group C.