China reaches semifinals for first time in AFC U23 Asian Cup
Wire desk byline Sourced from Xinhua, Dawn, Arab News, Anadolu and Minute Mirror. Translated and abridged by the GSRRA Desk.
Team China celebrates winning the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
China beat Uzbekistan 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw through extra time on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, to reach the semifinals of the AFC U23 Asian Cup for the first time.
China finished second in Group D with one win and two draws, reaching the knockout stage for the first time without conceding a goal. Uzbekistan topped Group C with two wins and a draw to reach the knockout phase for the fifth straight time.
The match remained scoreless through regulation. Uzbekistan controlled possession and created the majority of chances, recording more than 70% possession, 23 shots and eight on target, but China held firm and goalkeeper Li Hao made several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
Neither side broke the deadlock in extra time and the match went to penalties.
In the shootout, Li saved Uzbekistan’s fourth kick before Wang Bohao scored the winner to send China through 4-2.
At the post-match press conference, China head coach Antonio Puche Vicente said the match was “very tough for us.”
“We are very happy with all things because this is a history for us. This is a dream for us,” he noted.
Li also expressed his delight after the match, saying, “I’m very happy and just want to enjoy this moment. And we also want to win the next match.”
China will take on Vietnam in the semifinals next Tuesday. Vietnam stunned the United Arab Emirates 3-2 in the quarterfinal on Friday. ■
Wang Yudong (front L) of China vies with Behruzjon Karimov of Uzbekistan during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Li Hao, goalkeeper of China, competes during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Players of China pose for photos prior to the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Li Hao (C), goalkeeper of China, celebrates after winning the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Yang Xi (C) of China competes during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Wang Yudong (R) of China competes during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Samandar Muratbaev (front), goalkeeper of Uzbekistan, reacts after the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Wang Yudong (R) of China competes during the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinal match between China and Uzbekistan in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Jan. 17, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)
Reference Link:- https://english.news.cn/20260118/cb5bcf7329e4405a8e19ab0ab68653dd/c.html
Zamir Ahmed Awan is the founder and Chair of the Global Silk Route Research Alliance, a think tank in Islamabad. He studied engineering at Shanghai University in the 1980s, and years later he went back to China as Pakistan's science counsellor in Beijing, from 2010 until 2016, working on science and higher education cooperation between the two countries.…
