Is Japan Starting to Worry? China U23 Have Beaten Three Group Winners, Korean Media Admit: “They’re Playing Like Madmen”

In the early hours of January 21, China U23 continued their extraordinary run at the AFC U23 Asian Cup. Silencing criticism and ridicule, China delivered a dominant 3–0 victory over Vietnam to book their place in the final, where they will face Japan for the title. Of the four group winners in this tournament, Japan is now the only one yet to be defeated by China.

Under head coach Antonio, China initially built their campaign on defensive football. Match after match, the team defended deep in their own half, absorbed pressure, and waited patiently for counterattacking opportunities. Against Uzbekistan, this approach reached its extreme: China withstood 26 shots, survived to the final whistle, and prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout.

Because of this defense-first image and limited attacking output, few believed China could overcome Vietnam. But on this remarkable night, everything changed. Antonio tore up the script and delivered a footballing lesson to the world — proving that Chinese teams can also play bold, attractive, attacking football.

With the victory over Vietnam, China achieved something truly remarkable. Of the four group winners at this U23 Asian Cup, three have now fallen to China. In the group stage, China defeated Group leaders Australia 1–0; in the quarterfinals, they eliminated Group C winners Uzbekistan; and in the semifinals, they dismantled Group A winners Vietnam.

In the final, China will face their ultimate challenge: Japan, winners of Group B. Should China manage to upset a Japanese side that has scored 12 goals in five matches, they would complete an unprecedented feat — defeating all four group winners in a single tournament.

Meanwhile, as China advance to the final, South Korea — long regarded as a symbol of Asian football — can only contest third place against Vietnam, a reality that has left Korean media deeply frustrated.

Korean outlet Xportsnews admitted: “China are playing like they’ve gone crazy — even better than Korea. Kim Sang-sik’s magic has stopped working.” The report added that after years of disappointment and absence from the World Cup stage, China’s miraculous U23 Asian Cup journey may finally rekindle hope for Chinese football.