In a dramatic turn of events, the Chinese national U20 team was eliminated from the AFC Asian Cup after a last-minute goal by Saudi Arabia sealed a 1-0 victory on Saturday in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province.
Substitute Amar Alyuhabi stepped up when it mattered most, netting a decisive right-footed shot in the 95th minute after Talal Haji's precise cross found its mark. Despite holding possession for most of the match, China's young squad struggled to convert their opportunities, including a missed penalty in the second half.
Head coach Dejan Djurdjevic showcased China's strongest lineup in hopes of advancing to the FIFA U20 World Cup in Chile. However, Saudi Arabia's strategic decision to bench key starters like Rakan Alghamdi and Ziyad Alghamdi paid off, as their substitutes, including Alyuhabi and Haji, delivered when it counted.
Earlier in the match, China's Wang Yudong narrowly missed a second-half breakthrough, and Liu Chengyu's penalty was saved by the Saudi goalkeeper. As the game intensified in the final minutes, Saudi Arabia's resilience led to their crucial victory, booking them a spot in the upcoming World Cup alongside Australia, who triumphed over Iraq 3-2 in the other quarterfinal match.
The top four teams from the U20 Asian Cup will compete in Chile from September to October, highlighting the fierce competition and the high stakes for these young global athletes.
Reference(s):
China lose to Saudi Arabia in U20 AFC Asian Cup quarterfinals
cgtn.com
