China defy expectations to reach final of AFC U-23 Asian Cup against Japan for first time
Head coach Antonio Puche Vicente is full of praise for his team: ‘I think we played an excellent game today, both with and without the ball’
China’s under-23 football team are on the verge of winning their first ever AFC U-23 Asian Cup after defying expectations at the tournament in Saudi Arabia.
Following the young team’s 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the semi-finals, they will face Japan in Saturday’s final, after the Japanese team beat South Korea 1-0 in the other semi-final.
The Chinese football team have taken part in all seven editions of the tournament since its inception in 2013, but had never made it out of the group stage.
The team have yet to concede a goal or lose a match at this tournament.
The under-23s started the tournament with a 0-0 draw against Iraq, then beat Australia 1-0 before another goalless draw with Thailand sealed their place in the quarter-finals.
In the knockout rounds, China beat a strong Uzbekistan team 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out after a 0-0 draw over 90 minutes and extra time.
Head coach Antonio Puche Vicente was full of praise for his players after the Vietnam win.