In a thrilling display of skill and determination, China’s U20 team secured a spot in the AFC U20 Asian Cup quarterfinals with a commanding 5-2 victory over Kyrgyzstan on Saturday. The hosts delighted fans with an electrifying performance that saw substitute Zhu Pengyu score twice in the closing stages.
China took the lead early in the 13th minute when Liu Chengyu finished off a precise cross from Wang Yudong, following a brilliant through pass by Kuai Jiwen from deep on the left. Kyrgyzstan fought back, and in the 25th minute, Umar Madaminov curled a stunning left-footed shot into the far corner to level the score.
Just before halftime, Wang Yudong restored China’s advantage with a composed penalty in the 45th minute, confidently sending the goalkeeper the wrong way after a foul in the box.
The second half saw a turning point when Kyrgyzstan’s Artem Istrashkin received his second yellow card just two minutes in, leaving his team down to ten men. China capitalized swiftly, with Mao Weijie heading in a goal moments later to extend the lead to 3-1.
Kyrgyzstan showed resilience when Yryskeldi Madanov’s powerful header found the net in the 65th minute, narrowing the gap. China nearly responded instantly, but substitute Zhu Pengyu’s header was denied by the crossbar five minutes later.
Zhu redeemed himself in the 80th minute, dribbling past defenders and slotting the ball through the goalkeeper’s legs to make it 4-2. He sealed the emphatic win in injury time, heading home a perfect cross from Wang Yifan to bring the final score to 5-2.
Earlier in the day, Australia defeated Qatar 3-1 in the same group. With two wins each, both China and Australia have secured their places in the quarterfinals of the tournament.
