China's U20 football team delivered a thrilling performance on Saturday, defeating Kyrgyzstan 5-2 to advance to the AFC U20 Asian Cup quarterfinals. Substitute Zhu Pengyu emerged as the game-changer with two late goals in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Liu Chengyu opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a sharp finish, but Kyrgyzstan leveled through Umar Madaminov's curling strike. Wang Yudong restored China's lead just before halftime with a coolly converted penalty. The momentum shifted decisively when Kyrgyzstan’s Artem Istrashkin received a second yellow card early in the second half, leaving his team with 10 players.
China capitalized immediately, with Mao Weijie heading in the third goal. Despite a brief Kyrgyzstan comeback attempt via Yryskeldi Madanov’s header, Zhu Pengyu sealed the victory with an 80th-minute solo effort and an injury-time header. The result follows Australia's 3-1 win over Qatar, ensuring both teams advance from Group A.
The young squad’s dynamic attacking play and composure under pressure highlight China's growing football ambitions. Fans worldwide praised the team's resilience, with social media buzzing about Zhu’s standout performance.
Reference(s):
China storm into AFC U20 Asian Cup quarters after defeating Kyrgyzstan
cgtn.com
