China U17 Reaches Asian Cup Final for First Time in 22 Years
China’s U17 men’s national football team has advanced to the final of the AFC U17 Asian Cup for the first time in 22 years, defeating Australia 2-0 in the semi-final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on May 19. The historic victory has ignited celebrations across China and renewed hope for the future of Chinese football after years of struggle at the senior level.
According to Xinhua News, forward Shuai Weihao broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, capitalizing on a steal and through-ball from midfielder Zhou Yunuo to slot home from close range. Substitute Xie Jin sealed the victory in second-half stoppage time, scoring from inside the box to make it 2-0.
A Remarkable Tournament Journey
China’s path to the final has been anything but smooth. The team suffered a difficult start, losing their opening group match before falling 1-2 to Japan on May 10 — a result that left their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Zhao Songyuan scored China’s only goal in that defeat.
However, the young squad showed remarkable resilience. They bounced back with a crucial 2-0 victory over Qatar on May 13, followed by a win against Saudi Arabia to secure progression from the group stage. In the semi-final against Australia, China dominated proceedings with six shots on target and a disciplined defensive display that kept a clean sheet.
Coach Fu Shimin, a Japanese coach appointed to lead China’s U17 team, praised his players’ character. “The Chinese players have shown tremendous resilience throughout this Asian Cup,” he said, as reported by Xinhua. “Especially in difficult situations, they were able to maintain their resilience until the end.”
A Unique Coach with Inside Knowledge
Fu Shimin’s appointment reflects China’s broader strategy of learning from Japan’s highly successful football development model. His deep understanding of both Chinese and Japanese football gives him a unique strategic advantage heading into the final.
“Although I am Japanese, I am now the head coach of the Chinese team, and I will work hard together with the Chinese team,” Fu said in a CCTV interview, as cited by QTX Sports. “I have some tricks of my own for dealing with Japan.” He added that having faced Japan in the group stage, he knows both teams’ strengths and weaknesses intimately.
The Final: A Rematch with Japan
China will face Japan in the final on May 23 at 01:00 Beijing time — a rematch of their group-stage encounter. Japan reached the final by defeating defending champions Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw that featured a stoppage-time equalizer.
China is seeking its third U17 Asian Cup title, having previously won the tournament in 1992 and 2004 — the latter being their last final appearance exactly 22 years ago. The symmetry is not lost on fans and analysts, who note that China’s last FIFA U-17 World Cup appearance was also in 2005.
Xie Jin, who scored the second goal against Australia and previously studied abroad in Spain, expressed confidence despite the earlier loss to Japan. “Although we lost to Japan in the group stage, we still believe in ourselves,” he said, according to Xinhua. “We are not afraid of any opponent.”
Broader Significance for Chinese Football
This achievement comes amid a broader resurgence in Chinese youth football. The U23 team won an Asian Cup silver medal in 2025, the U20 team delivered competitive performances, and the U16 team recently defeated South Korea 4-2. These results suggest that long-term investments in grassroots football, coaching reforms, and talent identification are beginning to bear fruit.
As reported by Guancha, Chinese social media has been flooded with cautious optimism. Many fans note that while youth teams have historically performed well, the challenge lies in transitioning that success to the senior level. However, the widespread use of MRI bone-age testing by the AFC since 2006 has largely eliminated concerns about age-faking that once clouded Chinese youth achievements.
What to Watch For
The final against Japan represents more than just a trophy. A victory would be deeply symbolic — defeating Asia’s football powerhouse with a Japanese coach at the helm. For this generation of players, born around 2009, success here could lay the foundation for a competitive senior team in the years ahead.
China has already secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 World Cup by reaching the final, marking their return to the global stage for the first time in over two decades. Whatever happens on May 23, this team has already achieved something no Chinese U17 side has managed in 22 years — and in doing so, has given Chinese football a much-needed reason to dream again.