China’s U-23: Through to the Quarterfinals, But Still Under Fire
- Junhwi Lee
- Jan 25
- 2 min read
Jan 25, 2026
Junhwi Lee
Even in China, there's a chilly sentiment surrounding their own U-23 national team. So it's a bit unsettling to see signs that China may be looking down on Korea when it comes to football.
China’s U-23 squad played to a 0-0 draw with Thailand in their final Group D match of the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup, held on January 14 (Korea time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With one win and two draws, they finished second in the group and, for the first time in history, advanced to the quarterfinals of the U-23 Asian Cup. On the surface, it’s a milestone worth celebrating.
But even within China, questions are surfacing: Did they really earn this spot through solid performance? After the match, Chinese outlet NetEase described the team’s play as uninspired. They drew comparisons to two years ago when Coach Janković led the senior national team in the Asian Cup. Back then, the team was overly focused on defense, barely attacking, and played dull, goalless games. That run ended in a group-stage exit and ultimately led to the coach being dismissed.
NetEase argues that the current U-23 team mirrors that style. Their lone breakthrough came from a defender, Feng Xiao, scoring against Australia—a moment born less from strategy and more from lax defending. Over the course of three games, that was arguably their only truly decisive moment. The consensus? “They advanced thanks to luck, not merit.”
Adding to the critique, NetEase commented, “Coach Pucelle may be Spanish, but the team’s football has nothing in common with Spain’s style.” Throughout the group stage, they rarely strung together more than three passes. Their attacking game was nearly invisible, with most scoring chances resulting from opponent mistakes or set pieces. A glaring disconnect between midfield and attack exposed the team’s limitations.
China’s true capability will be put to the test in the quarterfinals against Uzbekistan—a team considered a serious title contender. If China can survive the pressure and pull off a defensive upset, it might quiet the critics.
But from Korea’s perspective, there's another concern. Chinese media outlets are suggesting that it’s a relief to face Uzbekistan instead of Korea in the quarterfinals. NetEase even argued, “Uzbekistan may be tougher than South Korea,” noting that China defeated Korea twice last year—in the Yancheng Four Nations Tournament and the Panda Cup.
Naturally, it's frustrating for Korean football fans to hear such commentary. While words are just that—words—it’s never easy to swallow criticism that hits national pride. In the end, Korea must respond not with words, but with results on the pitch.
