China at risk of early elimination from U23 Asia 2024

China is currently bottom of the group with no points like UAE, 3 points behind Japan and 6 points behind South Korea. In theory, China still has a chance to advance if UAE wins against Japan today, then China wins against UAE and Japan loses to South Korea in the final round. At that time, China, Japan and UAE will have 3 points and the head-to-head difference between the two teams will be considered.

In reality, it will be more difficult when Japan is rated higher than UAE. "Samurai Blue" only needs to draw with UAE to immediately eliminate China, regardless of the result of the last match.

China started the match against South Korea at Abdulla bin Khalifa Stadium on the evening of April 18 with excitement and many opportunities. In the 15th minute, striker Behram Abduweli stole the ball from Seo Myung-guan and rushed into the penalty area, but his shot was not sharp enough in a one-on-one situation and was controlled by goalkeeper Kim Jeong-hoon. Six minutes later, China's number 9 striker controlled the ball well in the penalty area, but his right-footed shot went wide of the goal.

China let South Korea control the ball and showed their sharpness in counterattacking. In the 18th minute, China counterattacked on the right wing and then brought the ball into the penalty area for Tao Qianglong to shoot and the ball went over the post. In the 24th minute, Xie Wenneng turned from the right wing into the penalty area and then curled his left foot into the top left corner of the goal but Kim Jeong-hoon flew to block it.

China wasted many chances and paid the price in the 34th minute. Kang Sang-yoon passed the ball to Lee Young-jin before shooting with his right foot and left foot to beat goalkeeper Huang Zihao.

In the second half, the Chinese goal was shaken after Kang Seong-jin's shot hit the right post in the 51st minute. After that, the Korean defense continued to pass the ball back carelessly, but Tao Qianglong wasted the opportunity to face the goalkeeper. Immediately, Korea counterattacked, sending the ball to Lee Young-jun in the penalty area. The number 6 striker controlled the ball, then pushed it a step before shooting with his left foot, threading the Chinese defender into the lower right corner, leaving Huang Zhihao no time to react.

Leading 2-0, South Korea took the initiative to play slowly but China could not find a way to approach the goal. In the 82nd minute, coach Cheng Yaodong continued to send 2m tall goalkeeper Yu Jinyong onto the field to look for a header opportunity but failed. China lost their second match and have yet to score a goal at the 2024 AFC U23 Championship.

Starting lineup

Korea: Kim Jeong-hoon, Cho Hyun-taek, Hwang Jae-won, Seo Myung-guan, Byeon Jun-soo, Paik Sang-hoon, Kang Sang-yoon, Eom Ji-sung, Kang Seong-jin, Kim Min-woo, Lee Young-jun

China: Huang Zihao, Liang Shaowen, Jin Shunkai, Ruan Qilong, Yang Zihao, Tao Qianglong, Jia Feifan, Duan Dezhi, Liu Zhurun, Xie Wenneng, Behram Abduweli.