China U23 0-4 Japan U23, 2026 Asian Championship: Convincing title defense.

Japan U23 successfully defended their title after a dominant performance, overwhelming China U23 from start to finish in the 2026 Asian U23 Championship final. This marks the third time Japanese football has won the Asian U23 Championship.

• 0'

• STARTING LINEUP

  China U.23: Li Hao; Hu Hetao, Wumitijiang Yusupu, Liu Haofan, Yang Alex, Peng Xiao, Xu Bin, Li Zhenquan, Yimingkari, Wang Yudong, Xiang Yuwang
  Japan U.23: Araki; Nagano, Koizumi, Ichihara, Umeki, Ozeki, Ogura, Sato, Furuya, Yokohama, Nwadike
• 1'

• FIRST HALF BEGINS!

  Japan U.23 kicked off first.
  
  
• 5'

• DANGER!

  Li Hao made an excellent save. From a corner kick, the Japanese U23 players had their first opportunity. But from a distance of about 5 meters, Japanese U23 striker Nwadike could not beat goalkeeper Li Hao.
• 10'
• In the early stages of the match, Japan U23 controlled possession for 73.5%, creating two scoring opportunities. On the other side, China U23 persisted with their signature defensive counter-attacking style.
  
• 12'

• GOAL!

  GOAL! 1-0 for Japan U23. Ozeki becomes the first player to beat goalkeeper Li Hao. The number 8 of Japan U23 was lucky when his shot deflected off Chinese player Peng Xiao's foot, changing direction and flying into the net.
  
• 20'

• GOAL!

  GOAL! Japan U23 takes the lead to 2-0. Ogura gave Li Hao no chance to save after a powerful long-range shot.
• 22'
• China's U23 team responded first. Following a corner kick from the left wing, center-back Liu Haofan rose high to head the ball, but it went just wide of the post.
• 27
• The pressure on Li Hao's goal remains immense. The Japanese U23 team has consistently created dangerous opportunities. Up to this point, the "Blue Samurai" have had 7 shots, with 3 on target.
  
• 37'
• In the past few minutes, the Chinese U23 team has been trying to push their formation higher and launch more aggressive attacks, but all their attempts have been easily thwarted.
  
• 45'
• The first half had 2 minutes of added time.
• 45'
• Ogura received a yellow card after overreacting to the referee. The Japanese U23 midfielder was upset when he witnessed a teammate being fouled.
• 45 + 2'

• END OF FIRST HALF!

  Japan U23 are currently leading China U23 2-0. The Japanese players deserve this lead as they played better and created more opportunities.
  
• 46'

• SECOND HALF BEGINS!

  China U.23 kicks off.
  
• 48'
• Japan's U23 team continued to play very proactively. Ozeki unleashed a shot inside the penalty area, but it was blocked.
• 53'
• Ozeki missed the chance to score a brace. The Japanese U23 team launched a fast and effective counter-attack. Unfortunately, in the decisive moment, Ozeki's shot was too weak.
  
• 57

• PENALTY!

  Japan U23 were awarded a penalty. The referee determined that Liu Haofan had handled the ball in the penalty area and immediately pointed to the penalty spot.
• 59

• GOAL!

  GOAL! 3-0 for Japan U23. Sato converts the penalty.
  
• 65'
• Twenty minutes of the second half had passed, but the Chinese U23 team showed no signs of improvement. Meanwhile, the Japanese U23 team continued to attack relentlessly, keeping Li Hao busy.
• 68'
• China's U23 team successfully put the ball into the opponent's net, but the goal was disallowed. The referee determined that Xiang Yuwang was offside.
  
• 76

• GOAL!

  GOOOOOOOOOAL! 4-0 for Japan U23. Ogura completes his brace. This time, the number 6 midfielder once again scored with a spectacular long-range shot.
• 85'
• The Japanese U23 team played as if the lead they had created was only one goal. The "Blue Samurai" actively pressed in the opponent's half, even willing to commit fouls to prevent counter-attacks.
  
• 90'
• The second half had 2 minutes of added time.
• 90 + 2'

• THE MATCH IS OVER!

  The score was 4-0 in favor of Japan U23. The team from the Land of the Rising Sun deservedly won, successfully defending their title with a superior and dominant performance from start to finish. This marks the third time Japanese football has won the U23 Asian Championship.
  

China U.23 team faces a historic opportunity.

China's U23 team is on the verge of making history as they reach the U23 Asian Championship final for the first time . Under the guidance of Spanish strategist Antonio Puche, they have not conceded a single goal during their journey in Saudi Arabia.

China's playing style is based on maximum discipline and a tight zonal defense system. They faced immense pressure against Uzbekistan but still held firm to victory. It is almost certain that Coach Puche's team will continue to employ this style of play in the final.

Awaiting a battle of wits between coach Go Oiwa (left) and Puche

PHOTO: AFC

Meanwhile, the Japanese U23 team, under the guidance of coach Go Oiwa, is demonstrating all-around strength. Not only do they possess a sharp attack, but the "Blue Samurai" have also maintained consistency with an unbeaten record throughout the tournament.

Japan has won the AFC U-23 Championship twice.

PHOTO: AFC

If Japan wins tonight, they will set a record of winning the tournament three times. Coach Go Oiwa himself will also make history as the first strategist to win the U23 Asian Championship twice. Certainly, the young Japanese players will do their best to win the final match, especially since they are considered the favorites. However, breaking through the "wall" of players like Li Hao and Liu Haofen on the Chinese U23 team will be no easy task.

Thanhnien.vn

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u23-trung-quoc-0-0-u23-nhat-ban-vck-chau-a-2026-lieu-buc-tuong-co-bi-khoan-thung-185260124191412054.htm