Chinese under-23 team win credit for ‘igniting new hope’ despite Asian Cup loss to Japan
Mainland youngsters concede twice in each half as Japan retain title; fans and executives draw encouragement for future
China defender Hu Hetao acknowledged his team “failed to show our best game” after they were beaten by Japan in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final on Saturday, but coach Antonio Puche Vicente called for a balanced response as the nation missed out on a first continental title at any level for more than two decades.
And despite the 4-0 loss in Saudi Arabia, a General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) statement gave credit to the team for “igniting new hope for the revitalisation of Chinese football”.
Fans on social media, meanwhile, were split between praising their team and noting the “massive difference” between the young China players and their dominant Japanese opponents.
The run to the final came days after the Chinese Football Association announced that the number of registered youth players had risen by almost 25 per cent over the past two years.
The number of coaches increased by 16,000 while those playing at amateur level went up by 95 per cent year-on-year.
While that broader playing base will provide encouragement for Chinese football, Vicente was focused on more immediate concerns.