Chinese media react with surprise after their team suffered a heavy defeat against Japan's U23 team.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - Instead of criticizing the Chinese U23 players after their 0-4 defeat to Japan U23 in the Asian U23 Championship final, the media in China comforted their team and expressed confidence in a bright future.

Japan U23 won 4-0 against China U23.

Contrary to expectations, the Chinese U23 team was unable to trouble the Japanese U23 team in the final of the Asian U23 Championship in Saudi Arabia on the evening of January 24th. After 90 minutes, coach Antonio Puche's team suffered a 0-4 defeat against the team from the Land of the Rising Sun. With this result, the Japanese U23 team successfully defended their title.

Chinese media outlets claim that their team was still successful at the U23 Asian Championship, despite the defeat against U23 Japan (Photo: AFC).

However, instead of criticizing the team's disappointing result, the Chinese media painted a positive picture. The 163 newspaper ran the headline: "China's U23 team wins Asian runner-up title, makes history, opens a new starting point for development."

In the article, the author emphasizes: “The U23 Asian Championship final against U23 Japan was a quality test for U23 China. As expected, against a strong opponent, Coach Puche's team revealed many weaknesses and lost 0-4. However, the loss to U23 Japan cannot negate the positive signs and hope that the team showed.”

Even before the final match began, the Chinese U23 team had already made history. The value of their journey is undeniable. After a convincing 3-0 victory over Vietnam in the semi-finals, Chinese football reached a continental final for the first time in 22 years.

This shows that the Chinese U23 team, led by coach Puche, is not an overnight phenomenon, and the miracle they created this time was not accidental at all.

Looking at the Chinese U23 squad, it's clear that the players, despite their young age, are far from inexperienced. Goalkeeper Li Hao, who had an outstanding performance in the tournament, before joining Qingdao West Coast, was selected for the "China Football Rising Star" program launched by Wanda Group in 2016, went to Atletico Madrid's youth academy, and spent many years training in Spain.

The Chinese players showed maturity at the AFC U23 Asian Championship (Photo: AFC).

Ahead of the U23 Asian Championship, news of Shanghai Shenhua's willingness to spend heavily to recruit Li Hao has been widely reported in the media. In the Chinese Super League last season, the goalkeeper also impressed with his consistent performance.

Not only Li Hao, but other players of the Chinese U23 team such as Peng Xiao, Wang Yudong, Xiang Yuwang, Xu Bin, Umitjiang… have all made a name for themselves in domestic leagues in the last one or two years, becoming important players in their respective clubs.

After the Chinese national team failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Chinese football is also facing a new starting point for development. In the current U23 squad, names like Baihelamu, Hu Hetao, Wang Yudong, Kuai Jiwen… have all been honed in the World Cup qualifiers under coach Ivankovic.

It can be said that the current Chinese U23 team possesses a core squad that is close to the standards of the national team, with most players reaching the level of regular starters in the national league. Their success at the U23 Asian Championship is an inevitable result.”

Similarly, Sohu published an article titled: "Although they couldn't win the U23 Asian Championship, the young Chinese boys surpassed themselves and made history." The Chinese newspaper wrote: "In the final of the 2026 U23 Asian Championship, the Chinese U23 team lost to the Japanese U23 team 0-4 and missed out on the championship."

From Riyadh to Jeddah, Coach Puche's team has repeatedly brought joy and surprises to fans, while also making history at the U23 Asian Championship.

Although they couldn't win the championship, the young Chinese players surpassed themselves and showed their best. We need to realistically recognize that Chinese football is still in a difficult phase and must strive to improve step by step. Young people are allowed to fail. As long as they fight their hardest, that is glory. Their youthful aspirations are not yet fully realized, but their steps have never stopped. In the future, we will continue to move forward together.”

The Jfdaily newspaper acknowledged the significant gap in skill between the Japanese and Chinese U23 teams. However, if they want to improve, Chinese football needs to confront that gap and strive for future progress. "Even finishing as runners-up, the Chinese U23 team still made history," Jfdaily wrote.

Watch the entire 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Finals on TV360 at https://tv360.vn. Enjoy a smooth multi-platform experience, rewind and replay, and free Viettel 4G/5G data.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/bao-trung-quoc-phan-ung-bat-ngo-khi-doi-nha-thua-dam-u23-nhat-ban-20260125012951103.htm