Chinese U18 Football Team Takes Second in Junior Sports Exchange Meet

The Chinese under-18 national football team concluded their participation in the China-Japan-Korea Junior Sports Exchange Meet, securing a second-place finish. Their final match against South Korea resulted in a 2-1 defeat, ultimately deciding the tournament's outcome. Despite controlling possession and applying consistent pressure, the Chinese team was unable to withstand the South Korean offense.

Wei Zijian scored a goal for China during stoppage time in the second half, narrowing the score. A draw would have been sufficient for the Chinese team to claim the championship. The South Korean team, representing the youth squad of K-League club Incheon United, secured the title with an undefeated record throughout the competition.

The Chinese team, under the guidance of coach Dejan Djurdjevic, had arrived in Baotou with high expectations. Following a strong start against the local Baotou youth team, they achieved a decisive 3-0 victory over Japan's U18 team, which was comprised of players from Japanese club Shimizu S-Pulse.

According to football commentator Ma Dexing, the tournament provided valuable insights into player development ahead of the upcoming U20 Asian Cup qualifiers. He noted the team's strong spirit and technical cohesion, particularly in their matches against Japan and South Korea, as significant achievements. Ma emphasized that further international competitions are crucial for assessing the team's overall quality compared to other Asian teams.

The current U18 team was scheduled to disband in Baotou, with players returning to their respective clubs or institutions. The coaching and support staff will regroup at the national training base in Xianghe, Hebei Province, to begin the next phase of preparations. A pool of 31 players, including Wei Xiangxin from Meizhou Hakka, will be assembled for this training cycle. Coach Djurdjevic will then select a core squad of approximately 30 players for the U20 Asian Cup qualification campaign. Djurdjevic previously led the national under-20 team to the quarter-finals of the U20 Asian Cup. The Chinese Football Association hopes he can lead a team to qualify for the U20 World Cup in 2027.

The China-Japan-Korea Junior Sports Exchange Meet has been an annual event since 1993, serving as a platform for young athletes from the three countries to compete and engage in cultural exchange. This year's event featured 11 sports and involved approximately 1,242 athletes and officials.

In addition to the sporting competition, the event also emphasized cultural diplomacy among the youth. Participants were scheduled to participate in cultural activities, including exploring the grassland heritage and visiting museums in Baotou.