Live now! U23 Asian Cup schedule: China will face Iraq, making their 2026 debut with hopes for a winning start.

On January 8th Beijing time, the highly anticipated U23 Asian Cup has officially begun. According to the latest schedule, at 10 PM tonight, the U23 Chinese team will take on their first opponent, Iraq. The opening match brings considerable pressure as the opponent is tough. Our goal is to secure a victorious start to the new year. CCTV5 will broadcast the game live, so fans can watch with confidence. The match between the two teams is already underway!

China is grouped with Australia, Iraq, and Thailand this time, facing great pressure as all opponents are strong. We aim to fight for second place in the group, but every match will be a do-or-die battle. In the first round, Australia narrowly defeated Thailand, setting the stage for an intense clash between China and Iraq!

Overall, Iraq is a powerful opponent who matches us well physically, which greatly tests our defense and tactics. We must prepare for tough challenges and focus on counterattacks. This tournament also features many promising young players from our side who have been given a chance on the world stage. We believe they will give their all and fight hard!

This tournament does not affect Olympic qualification. Historically, the U23 Chinese team has performed poorly, never advancing past the group stage. This time, we strive to make a breakthrough. The starting lineups for both teams have been announced and the match has already started. We hope the Chinese team can secure a winning start and bring joy to Chinese fans. In a fierce contest, the brave prevail!

Written by Sports Novel