China and Australia battled to a 0-0 stalemate in their final U23 Asian Cup qualifier in Xi'an on Tuesday, with both teams punching their tickets to the 2026 finals in Saudi Arabia! 🌍⚽ Australia topped Group D, while China clinched their spot as one of the best runners-up—thanks to goalkeeper Li Hao’s heroic saves. 🥅
Li became China’s wall, denying Australia’s Nathanael Blair with a stunning header save in the 39th minute and stopping Oscar Priestman’s close-range volley early in the second half. Talk about clutch! 🙌
🇦🇺 Aussie coach Antony Vidmar praised his squad: "We fought hard in tough conditions—proud of the boys!" Meanwhile, China’s coach Antonio Puche Vicente compared his team to "11 terracotta warriors" for their relentless spirit. 🛡️ "We wanted to bring joy to Chinese fans," he said, highlighting the emotional win for a nation eager for football triumphs.
Mark your calendars: The U23 Asian Cup kicks off in January 2026, promising more edge-of-your-seat action! 🗓️🔥
