Live score: Japan U23 4-0 China U23 (FT)
Match update: Japan U23 4-0 China U23 (FT), AFC U23 Asian Championship 2026, January 24th. Fastest match report of Japan U23 vs China U23.
Link to watch the U23 Japan vs U23 China football match today, January 24, 2026
Football match report: Japan U23 4-0 China U23 today, January 24, 2026
90+2' – Japan U23 wins the AFC U23 Championship
With the match concluded, Japan U23 officially claimed their third U23 Asian Championship title after a dominant performance throughout the tournament.
90' – Second half goes into added time
The referee announced that there would be 2 minutes of added time in the second half.
86' – Japan U23 team is not being complacent.
China's U23 team still tried to score a consolation goal but encountered a tight defense from Japan's U23 team, who maintained high concentration despite leading by a large margin.
81' – Behram Abduweli is cautioned.
The Chinese U23 striker, who came on as a substitute, received a yellow card after a rather aggressive foul on Shimamoto.
76' – Goal!!! Japan U23 scores their 4th goal.
Ogura rushed in quickly after the rebound and unleashed a powerful shot, increasing Japan U23's lead against China U23.
68' – China U23 misses an equalizer.
Xiang Yuwang was in the right place at the right time to tap in the rebound after Araki's save, but he was offside and therefore could not score for China U23.
66' – Sato misses a chance to overtake Dinh Bac
Ryunosuke Sato unleashed a powerful shot from inside the penalty area towards the far corner, but Li Hao made a superb save. A goal from this situation could have helped Sato reach his 5th goal of the tournament.
60' – GOAL!!! JAPAN U23 SCORES THEIR 3RD GOAL
From the penalty spot, Sato calmly struck the ball, beating goalkeeper Li Hao to extend Japan U23's lead to 3-0.
56' – Penalty awarded to Japan U23
Liu Haofan handled the ball in the penalty area while attempting to block a dangerous cross. The referee did not hesitate to point to the penalty spot.
54' – Ozeki's shot lacks power.
Ozeki had a chance to improve his personal best when he received the ball near the penalty area. However, the shot from the player wearing number 8 was not powerful enough, and Li Hao easily caught it.
48' – No third goal yet.
Ozeki received the ball inside the penalty area and took a quick shot, but his attempt was deflected by a Chinese U23 defender and went out of bounds.
46' – Second half kicks off.
Japan U23 kicked off, and the second half of the final officially began.
45+3' – Japan leads 2-0
The two teams ended the first half with a clear advantage for Japan U23.
45' – Added time
The first half had 2 minutes of added time.
42' – Missed opportunity
Ozeki unleashed a low shot from inside the penalty area, but the ball was weak and easily caught by goalkeeper Li Hao.
33' – Enclosed space
China's U23 team pushed forward in search of a goal, but their attacking options proved ineffective against Japan's U23 team.
27' – Almost a third goal
Ozeki set up Sato for a long-range shot, but the ball deflected off a Chinese U23 defender's foot and went wide of Li Hao's goal.
21' – Japan U23 increases the score
Kosei Ogura stole the ball himself right in front of the Chinese U23 penalty area and unleashed a spectacular long-range shot, doubling the lead for the "Blue Samurai".
12' – Japan U23 opens the scoring
Following a well-coordinated attack down the wing, Ozeki controlled the ball neatly before unleashing a decisive shot inside the penalty area. Defender Peng Xiao attempted to block the shot but inadvertently deflected it, leaving goalkeeper Li Hao helpless.
8' – Missed
Furuya rushed in quickly to tap the ball in from close range, but the Japanese U23 player unfortunately missed the shot.
5' – A spectacular save
Nwadike dribbled past the defender and unleashed a powerful shot from close range, but goalkeeper Li Hao remained focused and made a save for China U23.
1' – The match begins
Japan U23 kicked off, officially kicking off the AFC U23 Asian Cup final.
China U23 starting lineup
Hu Hetao, Umidjan Yusup, Liu Haofan, Xu Bin, Xiang Yuwang, Mutellip Iminqari, Wang Yudong, Peng Xiao, Li Hao, Li Zhenquan, Yang Xi
Japan U23 starting lineup
R. Umeki, S. Nagano, R. Ichihara, K. Ogura, Y. Ozeki, B. Nwadik, R. Sato, Y. Yokoyama, K. Koizumi, S. Furuya, R. Araki
2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship Final: The strongest attack against the best defense.
In theory, the Japanese U23 team is considered the favorite over the Chinese U23 team in the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Championship final. However, this will not be an easy match, as the East Asian representatives are showing remarkable resilience and discipline.
The match is a direct confrontation between the strongest attack and the most solid defense in the tournament. Japan U23 has scored 12 goals since the start of the tournament, while China U23 has yet to concede a single goal.
If they win, the Chinese U23 team will claim their first ever U23 Asian Championship title. Conversely, a victory would solidify Japan's position as the most successful team in the tournament's history with three titles.
Prediction: Japan U23 1–0 China U23.
