China U17 is confident of eliminating either Vietnam or Australia U17 to reach the Asian final.
Following their convincing victory over Saudi Arabia, Chinese media assessed that their team had a 70% chance of advancing past the semi-finals to the championship match.
The impressive 3-1 comeback victory against host nation Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals marked a crucial turning point, igniting confidence in Chinese youth football at the 2026 AFC U17 Championship. Securing a place among the top four teams in the continent not only brought them closer to the championship title but also solidified their position as the team expected to be the strongest in the history of the nation's youth football.
The chances of advancing to the semi-finals are as high as 70%.
Analyzing the upcoming match, 163 Sports predicts that regardless of whether their semi-final opponent is Vietnam U17 or Australia U17, China is still considered the favorite. The news site asserts that coach Bin Ukishima's team has a 60-70% chance of defeating either of these two opponents to reach the final.
This represents a remarkable psychological shift, as this generation of players had previously faced heavy criticism after their unexpected defeat against Indonesia in the group stage. The victory against Saudi Arabia not only relieved the pressure but also helped them reaffirm the capabilities of a team that has received thorough investment and high expectations.
A promising path and the ambition to replicate the 2004 miracle.
Besides their rising form, Chinese experts are also optimistic about the tournament bracket. While Japan faces tough challenges from teams like Uzbekistan and South Korea in the opposite bracket, China's path to progressing further in the tournament is considered significantly smoother.
The ambitions of Chinese football now extend beyond simply reaching the final. They are aiming to replicate their 2004 continental championship triumph. The ideal scenario envisioned by Chinese media is a clash with Japan in the final. This is seen as an opportunity for their youth teams to avenge their defeat to the U23 team earlier this year and reaffirm their strong return to the continental football scene.
