After eight unsuccessful attempts, Australia finally laid their hands on the coveted trophy with their previous best being a runners-up finish 15 years ago.

A total 93 goals were scored across the 31 matches, averaging three goals per game. Only three matches - two in the group stage and the semi-final between Saudi Arabia and Korea Republic - ended in goalless draws.

Islamic Republic of Iran may have exited at the quarter-final stage but they did go into the record books as the team with the biggest winning margin - a 6-0 triumph against Yemen in Group C. The highest scoring match, however, was China PR's 5-2 victory against Kyrgyz Republic in Group A.

A penalty shootout was needed to lift the trophy but Australia were deserving winners after a campaign which saw them scoring a tournament high 16 goals in six matches, while runners-up Saudi Arabia found the back of the net five times. Australia - in a tie with Korea Republic - also had the most shots on target with 32. Young Socceroo Luka Jovanovic, who ended his campaign with three goals, led the charts with nine shots on target with Saudi Arabia's Talal Haji one behind.

It has been an exciting few weeks for Alex Badolato, with the Australian named the China 2025 MVP after a campaign which saw him playing a major role in the Young Socceroos lifting the title. As the 20-year-old was fulfilling his part in Shenzhen, parent club Western Sydney Wanderers FC agreed to a loan deal for the midfielder to join Melbourne Victory for the remainder of the season. Badolato will relish the opportunity to further enhance his credentials, having scored twice and created 15 chances in Shenzhen.

Uzbekistan's title defence may have ended in the quarter-finals but the Central Asian nation showcased yet another batch of players destined to shine with Mukhammadali Urinboev leading the way. The forward won the top scorer award and looks set to follow in the footsteps of numerous Uzbekistan players who have used the AFC's age group tournaments as the springboard to success.

Hamed Yousef may have been denied glory by Australia but he is a player who fans must keep their eyes on. Standing at an imposing 195 centimetres, the custodian played a major role in Saudi Arabia coming within a whisker of lifting the title. With the West Asian nation finding goals hard to come by, Al Ittihad's Yousef's three clean sheets played a major part in them advancing to the final. Head coach Marco Soares has no doubt that the 20-year-old Yousef is set for a successful career.

The red card was flashed seven times during the course of the tournament, with two players each from Iraq and Kyrgyz Republic sent off. Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Yemen had one player each sent for early showers in a tournament that also saw the yellow card shown 110 times.