China's under-23 football team achieved its best-ever AFC Asian Cup performance this week, finishing as 2026 runners-up after a 4-0 defeat to defending champions Japan in Saturday's final in Jeddah. The historic silver medal comes despite the team's first-ever tournament final appearance, having previously stunned fans with a 3-0 semifinal victory over Vietnam.
Defender Hu Hetao reflected on the milestone: "While we couldn't show our best in the final, this result reflects our current strength. Every player respects our opponents and takes pride in our journey. I'm confident future generations will build on this progress."
Japan's clinical performance saw goals from Yuto Ozeki and Kosei Ogura before halftime, with Ryunosuke Sato and Ogura completing the scoring. The Chinese side showed early promise, with Xiang Yuwang testing Japan's goalkeeper in the opening minutes, but defensive errors proved costly.
Vietnam secured third place Friday in a dramatic 7-6 penalty shootout victory over the Republic of Korea following a 2-2 extra-time draw. The tournament results highlight growing competitiveness in Asian youth football, with China's breakthrough performance signaling potential shifts in regional dynamics.
