China's Yao Junyu celebrates after scoring during Sunday's match against South Korea in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province. Photo: VCG

The Chinese national under-16 soccer team qualified for the 2025 Under-17 Asian Cup as one of the best five runner-up finishers in the qualifying stage, following China’s inspirational 2-2 draw against South Korea at home on Sunday.

The match, held in Dalian in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, was a group leader-deciding game in Group C. Both the Chinese and South Korean teams entered the game with three straight wins without conceding a goal.

South Korea struck first in the ninth minute, with a chaotic set piece allowing Jun Min-seong to net the opener amid a scramble in the penalty area. 

The Chinese team leveled the score just before halftime as a build-up play culminated in a goal from Yao Junyu, who skillfully slotted the ball home from within the box in the 45th minute.

Following a foul by South Korea’s defense inside the penalty area, Wei Xiangxin converted the penalty he earned, giving China a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute. 

However, the advantage did not last long, as the South Koreans equalized with a penalty in the 88th minute.

South Korea finished ahead of the Chinese team due to their higher goal difference in the group. The qualification for the 2025 U17 Asian Cup has thrilled many Chinese fans, as it brings fresh hopes for the improvement of the senior national team in the future.

The Chinese under-17 team’s underachievement since 2008 in the U17 Asian Cup had left many Chinese fans feeling despondent about future prospects. 

At the previous Under-17 Asian Cup in 2023, the Chinese team, though successfully qualified, was eliminated in the group stage with a bottom-place finish.

Global Times