China’s U16 men’s football team secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Sunday in the second round of the CFA Team China Shenyang Peace Cup International Tournament 2025 held in Shenyang.
The match kicked off with a bang as He Sifan sent a precise cross from the left flank just two minutes in. Kuang Zhaolei was perfectly positioned to tap it in, giving China an early lead. The momentum continued when Wang Feiniya earned a penalty, but his bold Panenka-style shot was saved by the alert Uzbek goalkeeper.
As the first half drew to a close, Uzbekistan capitalized on a set-piece opportunity during stoppage time, leveling the score with a well-placed header. The second half saw both teams intensifying their play, but clear chances were hard to come by.
Just when it seemed the match would end in a stalemate, China broke the deadlock in the 88th minute. Following a corner kick, a rebound found its way to Zhou Yunuo, who unleashed a stunning long-range shot to secure the victory for China.
With this win and an earlier 1-1 draw against Japan, China now sits second in the tournament standings. South Korea, having defeated Japan 2-1 earlier in the day, remains at the top of the table. The stage is set for an exciting championship match between China and South Korea on Tuesday.
