China defeated Iran 3-1 in the men's team quarterfinals at the Asian Table Tennis Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Tuesday, after overcoming a shocking loss of their world No. 1 Wang Chuqin to 14-year-old Benyamin Faraji.

Wang was the trailing side from the beginning of the first game in the first match. Though he managed to cut his deficit to one point, Faraji still clinched the game 11-8.

Wang seemed to have bounced back in the following two games, which he took 11-3, 11-9 respectively, and started the fourth with a 4-1 lead. However, he then allowed the opponent to take the momentum before Faraji won this game 13-11 and tied the match 2-2.

The Iranian teenager followed his victory with hot pursuit, leading 4-0 in the fifth game. Wang was resilient enough to tie it 9-9, but Faraji sealed the deal 11-9 by scoring two straight points and gave his side a 1-0 lead.

Lin Shidong was the second to compete for China against Noshad Alamiyan. Lin took the first game 13-11, but Alamiyan returned the favor in the second to tie the match 1-1. The third game was even closer as it reached 10-10 and then 15-15. Lin managed to claim this game 18-16, but his lead didn't last long because the opponent won the fourth 11-5. In the decisive Game 5, the Chinese paddler started with a 4-0 lead and stood up to Alamiyan's counter strike before winning it 11-6 in the end, tying it 1-1 for his team.

As China's third competitor, Liang Jingkun brushed Mohammad Mousavi Taher 11-5, 11-9, 11-1 aside to lead 2-1 before Wang came back to the table to face Alamiyan in the fourth match. Though the Iranian began the first game with a 3-1 lead, Wang rallied to clinch it 11-9. He then extended his lead to 2-0 by taking the second game 11-7, but Alamiyan kept the competition alive by winning the third 11-4 and tied the fourth 9-9. Wang earned himself a match point leading 13-12 and converting it to win the match and for China and progress at the tournament. They will face South Korea in the semifinals.

In the women's team division, China came back to knock out the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) 3-1 in the quarterfinals. Kim Kum Yong upset world No. 1 Sun Yingsha 11-13, 11-2, 11-7, 11-6 to give the DPRK a 1-0 lead.

Wang Yidi, who played second for China, beat Pyon Song Gyong 11-8, 11-5, 8-11, 11-7 before Shi Xunyao edged Cha Su Yong in a five-game battle 9-11, 11-9, 6-11, 11-6, 11-7. China were leading 2-1 and sent Sun to play again in the fourth match. It took her five tough games to beat Pyon 2-11, 11-6, 6-11, 11-5, 11-7, concluding the quarterfinals.

China will play China's Hong Kong in the semifinals.