AFC U20 battles to light up China 2025

Some of Asia’s brightest footballing talents will be on show starting from Wednesday, February 12 when the AFC U20 Asian Cup™ China 2025 comes to life.
 
Sixteen teams have set their sights on ultimate glory at the tournament, which is being staged for the second time in China PR, after sealing qualification last September.
 
First held in 1959 and now into its 42nd edition, the stars of tomorrow will hope to follow in the footsteps of luminaries like Lee Dong-gook, Ahmed Khalil, Ritsu Doan, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
 
Renowned as a global technology hub, the city of Shenzhen will welcome a stellar cast that includes 12 former winners as well as 13 of the 16 sides that featured at the previous edition in 2023, with DPR Korea, Thailand and Yemen the exceptions.
 
The top four finishers are guaranteed berths at the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2025 in Chile later in the year, and the trio of Kyrgyz Republic, Thailand and Yemen will hope to seal their maiden qualifications for the global showpiece.
 
To achieve that, the Kyrgyz Republic will have to progress past the Group Stage for the first time in their third tournament appearance. Placed in Group A, the Central Asians will also seek to notch their first ever win and face Australia in the opening match at 5.15pm at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium. Runners-up in 2010, Australia have qualified for every edition since joining the AFC – nine in a row.
 
Hosts China PR, whose 2010 home campaign ended in the last eight, make their 14th consecutive appearance and 19th overall at 7.30pm at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium. The 1985 champions are targeting a second crown on home soil and their first Group A challenge comes in the form of 2014 winners Qatar, who are participating for a 16th time and last reached the Knockout Stage in 2018.
 
The second day of action begins on February 13 with a Group B fixture between Iraq and DPR Korea at 3pm at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium. Runners-up at the previous edition, five-time champions Iraq have qualified for a 10th consecutive time and 19th overall, while this tournament marks the return of three-time winners DPR Korea after their last outing in 2018; the latter are taking part for a 14th occasion and last progressed beyond the Group Stage in 2014, when they placed second.
 
Fourth place in 2006 is Jordan’s best finish and they will hope to surpass that on their third consecutive appearance and ninth overall as they go up against three-time champions Saudi Arabia, who are marking their 16th participation and fourth in a row. This second Group B tie takes place at 7.30pm at the Baoan Sports Centre Stadium.
 
Group C also kicks off on Thursday and the opening showdown at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 at 5.15pm sees reigning champions Uzbekistan aiming to become the sixth side to defend the title and first since Korea Republic in 2004. Appearing for the ninth time, they will entertain Yemen, who make their seventh appearance and first since 2016 as they strive to reach the Knockout Stage for the first time.
 
The second match of the group will be contested at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Centre Stadium, where the 7.30pm kick-off features four-time winners Islamic Republic of Iran and 1961 champions Indonesia, who are making their 22nd and 20th tournament appearance respectively.
 
Korea Republic’s mission for a record-extending 13th crown gets underway on Friday, February 14 in Group D at the Longhua Cultural and Sports Centre Stadium at 3pm. Their 40th involvement – the most of any team – sees the 2023 semi-finalists clash with Syria, who won their sole title in 1994 and are eyeing a return to the Knockout Stage for the first time since 2012 on their 12th appearance.
 
The final game of the first matchday features 2016 winners Japan, marking their 39th appearance with a showdown against Thailand, who themselves are involved for a 34th time and have two titles under their belt; proceedings get underway at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Pitch 1 at 5.15pm.