China has made a remarkable journey to the U23 Asia final, culminating in a clash against two-time champions Japan tonight. Their path to the final was marked by a surprising tactical shift under coach Puche, especially evident in their semifinal victory.
Prior to the semi-finals, China's performance had raised questions, with only one goal scored across four matches. Their defensive-oriented style led to coach Puche being seen as conservative, particularly given ball possession rates that never exceeded 49% in the group stage, even dropping to 29% against Uzbekistan. These statistics sparked doubts about his ability to orchestrate an attacking game.
However, the Spanish coach dramatically altered this pragmatic image against Vietnam. Puche surprised opponents by making six changes to the starting lineup compared to the quarter-final win over Uzbekistan, instructing his team to play an attacking style. This tactical pivot caught Vietnam off guard, setting the stage for a dominant 3-0 victory. China maintained over 50% possession, at times reaching 65%, and took 16 shots—more than twice Vietnam's total.
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Xiang Yuwang (number 7) and Kuai Jiwen (number 11) both excelled in the match against Vietnam, during the U23 Asia semifinal at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the evening of 20/1/2026. Photo: AFC |
Xiang Yuwang (number 7) and Kuai Jiwen (number 11) both excelled in the match against Vietnam, during the U23 Asia semifinal at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on the evening of 20/1/2026. Photo: AFC
China’s defensive prowess has been a cornerstone of their success, making them the second team to keep five consecutive clean sheets in the U23 Asia finals, a feat previously achieved by Uzbekistan in 2024. They stand on the brink of setting a new tournament record if they manage another clean sheet in today's final against Japan on 24/1.
While this marks China's first appearance in the U23 Asia final, Japan boasts a rich history in the tournament, having won the title two times, in 2016 and 2024. Despite bringing an U21 squad to this year's competition, Japan has impressively navigated their way to the final match, showcasing their depth and talent.
A potential setback for Japan is the injury sustained by their captain and most valuable player, Rion Ichihara. His availability for the final remains uncertain, which could significantly impact Japan's strategy.
By Quang Dung and Vy Anh
