The Chinese national under-23 football team qualified for the U23 Asian Cup final for the first time ever after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in the semifinal on Tuesday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, fueling hopes that the team could challenge for a title after decades of underachievement.

Entering the tournament as a bottom level-seeded team, the Chinese team has emerged as the biggest dark horse of the tournament by reaching the final.

The win marks the first time since 2004 that a Chinese men’s national team at any level has advanced to the final of an Asian tournament. 

Even though the game ended in the early hours of Wednesday Beijing time, the topic “China qualifies for the U23 Asian Cup final” quickly took over social media.

It is the team's fifth game in the tournament without conceding a goal. The Chinese team, coached by Spaniard Antonio Puche, benched offensive duo Wang Yudong and Baihelamu Abuduwaili in the semifinal, with the new front two Xiang Yuwang and Kuai Jiwen leading the team in a more attacking tactical approach.

Defender Peng Xiao scored the opening goal of the match for China with a header just two minutes into the second half. Xiang added the second with a strike in the penalty box in the 52nd minute. Promising 19-year-old forward Wang Yudong netted the third goal for China in the 98th minute.

The Vietnamese team was the tournament’s second-highest scorers with eight goals, behind Japan on 12. 

The victory highlights a remarkable tournament for the Chinese side. The team advanced by finishing second in Group D with a disciplined defensive record – one win and two draws – and then eliminating a misfiring Uzbekistan team in the quarterfinals by winning a penalty shootout 4-2, with goalkeeper Li Hao starring throughout.

The 21-year-old’s stunning performance at the U23 Asian Cup has prompted fans to call for him to be picked for the senior national team squad. 

The latest win also underlines the progress of youth development under the Chinese Football Association’s renewed focus on building a sustainable pipeline of talent. 

China’s U23 team entered the match without having conceded a goal in normal time all tournament, and they surpassed previous benchmarks by reaching the semifinals for the first time in the team’s history. 

The Chinese U23 team met their Vietnamese counterparts twice in 2025, with a 1-0 defeat at the Panda Cup in November. 

Japan defeated South Korea 1-0 in the other semifinal on Tuesday. They will face China in the final on Saturday.