The AFC U-23 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026 has finally reached its climax. Japan beat Korea 1–0 in the semi-final, while China swept aside Vietnam 3–0. Both teams have shown very different ways of winning on their way to the final.
Japan | Control after the opener – a team built to close games out
In the semi-final against Korea, Japan took the lead in the 36th minute through Koizumi. From that point on, they minimized risk and managed the game with calm control, protecting their one-goal advantage to the end. The defensive stability they showed with three clean sheets in the group stage will again be a major weapon in the final.
| Round | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Match 1 | Syria U-23 | 5-0 | Win |
| Group Match 2 | UAE U-23 | 3-0 | Win |
| Group Match 3 | Qatar U-23 | 2-0 | Win |
| Quarter-final | Jordan U-23 | 1-1 (4-2 pens) | Win |
| Semi-final | Korea U-23 | 1-0 | Win |
China | Solid at the back, explosive when they hit the accelerator
In the semi-final against Vietnam, China scored three times in the second half. Peng Xiao opened the scoring, followed by quick-fire goals from Xiang Yuwang and Wang Yudong. Built on a solid defensive base, that 90 minutes of unleashed attacking power sent a powerful message heading into the final.
| Round | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group Match 1 | Iraq U-23 | 0-0 | Draw |
| Group Match 2 | Australia U-23 | 1-0 | Win |
| Group Match 3 | Thailand U-23 | 0-0 | Draw |
| Quarter-final | Uzbekistan U-23 | 0-0 (4-2 pens) | Win |
| Semi-final | Vietnam U-23 | 3-0 | Win |
Japan’s approach of “score first and control the game” versus China’s style of “stay compact, then suddenly accelerate in attack”. Which team will impose their preferred winning pattern first? The final will be a true reflection of where these U-23 generations stand.
Final kick-off time
Sunday, 25 January 2026, 0:00 kick-off (Japan time)
