The U23 Asian Cup qualifiers kick off in Xi'an, spotlighting the U22 Chinese national team's battle for goal difference!

Reporter Lu Mi reporting At 7:35 PM tonight, the first round of Group D in the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers will commence at the Xi'an International Football Center, with the Chinese U22 men's team (U22 China) taking on Timor-Leste. This match, which appears to have a clear favorite, embodies the aspirations of China's young generation to demonstrate their abilities and plays a key role in the team's plan to qualify from the group. Seven years ago, China's U23 team triumphed 6-0 over Timor-Leste at the Jakarta Asian Games. Tonight, this youthful squad mainly composed of 2003-born players will embark on a new journey amid great anticipation.

This edition of the U23 Asian Cup qualifiers features strict advancement rules: 11 group winners qualify directly, along with the 4 best runners-up. China is grouped with Australia, Timor-Leste, and the Northern Mariana Islands, with Australia clearly the toughest rival. This group setup means China must maximize their goal difference against the relatively weaker Timor-Leste and Northern Mariana Islands to build a solid foundation for the crucial clash with Australia.

Ticket data from the Xi'an International Football Center shows over 23,000 tickets have been sold for this match. The huge banner prepared by fans reading “Fight for goal difference, advance from the group” reflects their high hopes as well as the pressure. At the pre-match press conference, head coach Antonio said, “We are fully prepared, and our primary goal is to reach the final stage. We are preparing with this target in mind.” He also mentioned that this is the team he is most satisfied with, though there are some injuries within the squad.

Yesterday, head coach Antonio made another adjustment to the 23-man roster, reinstating Chen Zhexuan while replacing him with Mutalifu.

Within this squad, players like Wang Yudong and Xiang Yuwang possess versatility in attacking positions, allowing tactical flexibility. In their last six matches, China recorded 3 wins, 0 draws, and 3 losses, scoring 5 goals and conceding 7, with a 50% win rate, showing inconsistency but significant potential.

Timor-Leste's recent six matches resulted in 1 win, 1 draw, and 4 losses, scoring 10 goals but conceding 21, with only a 17% win rate. However, they are not without threat; 19 of their players competed in the Southeast Asia U23 Championship in July, where they drew 4-4 against Myanmar, demonstrating strong attacking bursts.

Facing a stronger U22 Chinese side and playing away, Timor-Leste is likely to adopt a compact defensive approach. China needs to increase attacking options upfront while maintaining patience. Attackers like Wang Yudong, Xiang Yuwang, and Kuai Jiwen, who have proven themselves in professional leagues, will be tested on the international stage. Whether the U22 team can quickly break down the dense defense will largely determine the match outcome.

China must beware of Timor-Leste’s fighting spirit; in the Southeast Asia U23 tournament, they kept narrowing the score even when behind. Moreover, if the home team fails to score early, anxiety might set in, risking a repeat of previous matches where they started strong but faded in the second half. Antonio said at the pre-match conference: “Undoubtedly, Australia is the favorite in this group. We must stay grounded and strive for victory. Beyond results, this squad includes players born in 2005 and 2006 who represent the future of Chinese football. We provide them with a platform to develop, so they start preparing now instead of waiting for the next qualifiers. This is also preparation for the future of Chinese football.”

Based on the strength comparison, China’s victory is expected, but the number of goals difference will be a key measure of the match quality. Referring to the 6-0 win at the 2018 Asian Games and considering the current vulnerabilities in Timor-Leste’s defense, China anticipates a commanding victory.

Extensive experience in leagues and national teams has undoubtedly boosted the confidence of this U22 squad. Currently, 9 players have been selected for the senior national team. Players like Wang Yudong have represented China in the World Cup qualifiers' final 18 and scored goals. Kuai Jiwen, Liu Haofan, Wang Shiqin, and Wumitijiang also played in the East Asian Cup in July, gaining valuable technical and psychological international experience.

Continuous match experience in leagues is also very beneficial. Player Xu Bin told the media: “Although we gathered only on the 25th, most of our team members have had substantial playing time in the league this year and maintained good form. We have been actively preparing these days. I believe none of the three opponents can be underestimated because football is unpredictable. We must be fully prepared on the field and strive to win every match.”

The significance of this match goes far beyond the scoreline. For Chinese football, which has repeatedly missed the World Cup, U20 World Cup, and U17 World Cup, these players carry immense expectations. Amid the cheers in Xi'an, it is hoped that the young men will start their campaign with a victory and confidently declare that the youthful power of Chinese football is quietly rising.