China's under-23 football team has smashed records by advancing to the AFC U23 Asian Cup quarterfinals for the first time ever! The squad secured their spot with a tense 0-0 draw against Thailand in Riyadh on Wednesday, marking a milestone in youth football development. 🎉
🔑 Key moments: After an opening 0-0 stalemate with Iraq and a nail-biting 1-0 win over Australia, China's defense became the star. Goalkeeper Li Hao delivered superhero saves, including a critical stop in the 57th minute that had fans cheering worldwide 🌍.
🗣️ "We executed the coach's plan perfectly," said striker Wang Yudong, whose team now faces Uzbekistan in Jeddah this Saturday. The match will test whether China can ride this momentum to the semifinals.
⚡Why it matters: This breakthrough signals growing competitiveness in Asian youth football. With 2026 shaping up as a pivotal year for sports in the region, all eyes are on how China's young talents will perform under pressure.
