The Chinese U17 phenomenon

In the early hours of May 20th, the Chinese U17 team delivered an outstanding performance against the Australian U17 team to secure their place in the 2026 AFC U17 Championship final against Japan U17.

China's U17 team is a sensation at this year's tournament.

In the semi-final match on May 19th, the East Asian representatives played disciplined football, proactively ceding possession to the Australian U17 team, but were extremely sharp in their counter-attacks. After a closely contested first half, Weihao broke the deadlock at the beginning of the second half before Xie Jin sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th minute.

The 2-0 victory against U17 Australia continues the fairytale run of Chinese youth football at this year's tournament. From a team that was not highly rated before the tournament, the Chinese U17 team has consistently overcome difficulties to advance deep into the competition.

In the quarter-finals, they caused a sensation by defeating host nation Saudi Arabia 3-1. Their tenacious fighting spirit, tight organization, and impressive efficiency in capitalizing on opportunities made them the most formidable opponent in the tournament.

Meanwhile, the Japanese U17 team endured a tense battle against the Uzbekistani U17 team. The two teams drew 1-1 after 90 minutes before Japan won 3-2 on penalties. Their composure and experience continued to be the foundation that helped the young team from the Land of the Rising Sun secure their place in the final.

The match between Japan and China is generating great interest among Asian fans. Japan has a rich tradition with four championships, while China has the opportunity to make history and affirm the strong resurgence of its youth football.

Source: https://znews.vn/hien-tuong-u17-trung-quoc-post1652729.html