China’s national youth team finished second in the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia after losing 3-2 to Japan in the final, despite coming back in the second half.
The match earlier on Saturday marked China’s return to the finals of the U-17 Asian Cup for the first time in 22 years, and the run to the match secured qualification for the 2026 Fifa U-17 World Cup.
Japan’s Tafuku Satomi opened the scoring in the 31st minute with a powerful long-range shot, before Sho Saito scored the second goal.
In the stoppage time of the first half, Shin Kitamoto added Japan’s third goal with a long-range goal.
China pulled ahead after the break with goals from Wan Xiang and Zhao Songyuan.
In the 48th minute, Shuai Weihao delivered a cross from the right wing, allowing Wan to sweep the ball into the net and pull one back.
