China's Wu Xi (R) celebrates his goal with team mate Ren Hang during their Asian Cup Group B soccer match against Uzbekistan at the Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane January 14, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The black horse performance also inspired Chinese internet users to make jokes on China's soccer.

"There's little time left for Chinese team" was usually used when Chinese team is falling behind by one goal or two goals, which is the most likely scenario in matches before. This time it was paraphrased to "There's little time left for Uzbekistan" when China were 2-1 ahead in the match.

A lot of soccer fans twitted on Weibo, the Chinese version of Twitter, that they are expecting to see Chinese team in the 2018 World Cup finals.

"Sometimes spirit is what matters," Li Yi, a former Chinese international, said on his Weibo account. "As long as you play your best, I will support you for good."