China Falls to Saudi Arabia in AFC U20 Asian Cup Quarterfinals
What a dramatic night it was in Shenzhen! China faced Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals of the AFC U20 Asian Cup, and despite dominating possession, they suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat in the dying moments of the game. The result not only ended their journey in the tournament but also dashed their hopes of qualifying for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile.
From the very beginning, China looked determined. Head coach Dejan Djurdjevic fielded the strongest lineup, hoping to make the most of the home advantage. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia took a different approach, starting without some of their key players, including Rakan Alghamdi, Talal Haji, and Ziyad Alghamdi. But even with these changes, the Saudi team remained dangerous.
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The match was intense. China controlled 59% of possession and created several chances, with Wang Yudong coming closest in the first half when his right-footed strike hit the far post. The biggest opportunity arrived in the 59th minute when China was awarded a penalty. However, Liu Chengyu’s spot-kick was denied by the Saudi goalkeeper, a moment that would prove costly.
As the clock ticked down, Saudi Arabia made their decisive move. They brought on fresh legs, including Talal Haji and Amar Alyuhabi, who turned the game on its head. Then, in the 95th minute, when it seemed like the match was headed for extra time, Alyuhabi delivered the final blow. Receiving a cross from Haji, he struck a precise right-footed shot from a tight angle, sending the ball into the bottom right corner. The stadium fell silent as China’s dreams of advancing slipped away in an instant.
With this result, Saudi Arabia moves on, while China is left to reflect on what could have been. The top four teams of the tournament will qualify for the FIFA U20 World Cup, and unfortunately for China, they will not be part of that journey. It’s a tough loss, but this young squad will take lessons from this experience as they look ahead to future competitions.
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