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Stephy Zhang

The Chinese national youth team finished runners-up in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after losing 3-2 to Japan in the final, despite a spirited second-half comeback.
The match in the early hours of Saturday marked China’s return to the U17 Asian Cup final for the first time in 22 years, and the run to the showpiece match secured qualification for the 2026 Fifa U-17 World Cup.
Japan’s Tafuku Satomi opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a shot into the far corner, before Sho Saito doubled the lead.
In first-half stoppage time, Shin Kitamoto added a third for Japan with a long-range strike.
China rallied after the break with goals from Wan Xiang and Zhao Songyuan.
In the 48th minute, Shuai Weihao delivered a cross from the right wing, allowing Wan to chip the ball into the net to pull one back.

In the 77th minute, Anjinto Motosuna fouled Zhao inside the area, and Zhao then stepped up to convert the penalty. Despite some late pressure, the comeback fell short and Japan won the Cup.
After the match, Wan, who plays for Red Star Belgrade U17 and scored China’s opening goal, admitted that the team was not on the same level as Japan and pledged to improve.
“First of all, this tournament gave me a very good experience ... but the opponents were superior to us, and we are not on the same level as them,” the youngster remarked.
He explained that after falling behind 3-0, the players loosened up, ignored the scoreline, and fought back to express themselves, but added that “once it is over, it is over”, leaving them to analyse their shortcomings.
At the post-match press conference, China’s U17 head coach Bin Ukishima responded to questions regarding his line-up, explaining that he altered the formation in the second half to accelerate the attacking tempo and suppress Japan’s offence.
“I think the players responded and performed very well in this regard, and they were able to meet the requirements I set for them. As for making three substitutions in the second half, it was mainly because the score was 0-3 at half-time, and we had to take corresponding measures to fight back,” the manager said.

Regarding the tactical shift, Ukishima, who is Japanese, stated that the formation was not one they usually deployed and admitted they had not practised it extensively, though they had rehearsed the system during training on Friday specifically for the final.
“I think the players’ adaptability to the formation, as well as their desire and resilience to fight back while trailing in the second half, are worthy of praise,” he added.
The coach also thanked the fans and encouraged his squad.
“It is a regret that we were unable to win this match, and I feel sorry for that. What I want to say to the players is that after these six gruelling matches, they will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve and serve as a valuable asset in their future football careers,” he said.
The two teams previously met in the group stage of the tournament, with China losing 2-1.
This November, China’s young footballers will play at the World Cup in Qatar for the first time in 21 years.


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China youth team finish runners-up in AFC U17 Asian Cup after narrow defeat to Japan

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China

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Head coach Bin Ukishima said his players ‘will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve’ in the future


Head coach Bin Ukishima said his players ‘will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve’ in the future.


Asian Football Confederation (AFC)

Fifa

China youth team finish runners-up in AFC U17 Asian Cup after narrow defeat to Japan

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Head coach Bin Ukishima said his players ‘will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve’ in the future

Head coach Bin Ukishima said his players ‘will gain a lot from the trials of this tournament, which will help them improve’ in the future