AFC U23 Asian Cup
A brace from Kosei Ogura and strikes from Yuto Ozeki and Ryunosuke Sato meant Japan became the first team to defend the title and lift the coveted trophy for a third time.
It was heartbreak for China PR, who were looking to cap their amazing run at Saudi Arabia 2026 with the title but found Japan simply too hot on the night.
It was heartbreak for China PR, who were looking to cap their amazing run at Saudi Arabia 2026 with the title but found Japan simply too hot on the night.
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Head coach Antonio Puche made four changes to China PR’s starting line-up with Xiang Yuwang – who marked his tournament debut with a goal in the semi-final win over Vietnam – retaining his place, while Japan captain Go Oiwa reinstated Ozeki, Yumeki Yokoyama, Shusuke Furuya and Brian Nwadik into the mix.
The match, which kicked off following a spectacular closing ceremony, saw Japan immediately applying pressure, with Nwadik forcing China PR goalkeeper Li Hao into making a save with his strike from close range.
The match, which kicked off following a spectacular closing ceremony, saw Japan immediately applying pressure, with Nwadik forcing China PR goalkeeper Li Hao into making a save with his strike from close range.
China PR slowly began to see more of the ball but wasted a chance in the seventh minute when Xu Bin sent a cross into the box for Xiang Yuwang, but the forward mistimed his header with the ball falling right into the gloves of Japan keeper Rui Araki.
It was Japan, however, who looked the more threatening and their sustained pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Ozeki converted Furuya’s cutback, with his powerful drive deflecting off Peng Xiao and looping over a fully-stretched Li Hao, with the China PR custodian being beaten for the first time in the tournament.
It was Japan, however, who looked the more threatening and their sustained pressure paid off in the 12th minute when Ozeki converted Furuya’s cutback, with his powerful drive deflecting off Peng Xiao and looping over a fully-stretched Li Hao, with the China PR custodian being beaten for the first time in the tournament.
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Unfortunately for Li Hao, he had to pick the ball out of his net for a second time eight minutes later when China PR failed to deal with Sato’s cross, with Ogura pouncing on the loose ball and striking it into the bottom left corner.
Final: China PR v Japan
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Japan started the second period with a spring in their step with Ozeki and Kaito Koizumi threatening before China PR conceded a penalty just before the half-hour mark following Liu Haofan’s handball, with Sato converting to take his overall tally to four goals.
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China PR refused to give up with Bao Shengxin and Hu Hetao threatening before they had Xiang Yuwang’s effort ruled out for offside in the 68th minute, while Wang Yudong squandered another chance, sending his effort over the bar moments later.
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In doing so, China PR left the door open in the 76th minute when Yokoyama’s cross into the box fell to Furuya, whose miscued attempt was cleared only as far as Ogura, whose shot from distance took a slight deflection before settling in the bottom right corner of the net as Japan put the final to bed.
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