China U23 and the philosophy 'solid defense is the most effective form of attack'

At first glance, this figure might disappoint traditional football fans and critics who argue that China U23 plays unattractive football. However, according to China Daily, the China U23 team has ignited some hope among domestic football supporters who have long been accustomed to ongoing international disappointments.

In their previous five appearances at the AFC U23 Championship, China U23 never advanced beyond the group stage and managed only two wins in 15 matches.

The Chinese national team, ranked 93rd globally, missed the chance to qualify for the FIFA World Cup for the sixth consecutive time after being eliminated in the Asian qualifiers for the 2026 tournament hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Therefore, on the evening of January 17, the phrase "China national team reaches AFC U23 Championship semifinal for the first time" attracted over 23 million views, topping the trending topics on the social media platform Weibo three hours after the match.

According to Global Times (China), in modern football, especially in knockout matches and short tournaments, controlling the tempo, organizing a tight defense, and minimizing risks can be just as decisive as attacking brilliance.

The foundation of China's progress in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship lies in their solid defense. Throughout the tournament, China kept a clean sheet during regular time.

In Saudi Arabia, under the guidance of Spanish coach Antonio Puche, China U23 persistently applied a strategy based on positional discipline and risk management. Instead of trying to dominate possession or launch aggressive attacks, they focused on minimizing opponents' technical advantages, calmly absorbing pressure, and capitalizing fully on critical moments.

Head coach Puche prioritizes defensive organization, frequently deploying formations that cover key areas and restrict opponents' space to exploit advantages.

In the quarterfinal, despite Uzbekistan U23 controlling about 71% of possession and firing 28 shots, China’s defense maintained its shape, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.

On January 19, Chinese player Liu Haofan told reporters that initially the China U23 team's goal was simply to reach the knockout stage, but now the plan has shifted as the team aims to reach the final.

Regarding the semifinal between Vietnam U23 and China U23 scheduled for the evening of January 20 (Vietnam time), Global Times suggests Vietnam U23 is likely to control the game, patiently circulate the ball, and test China’s defensive concentration through movement rather than physical strength. Conversely, China U23 will try to close spaces, disrupt Vietnam’s rhythm, and complicate the match, where the outcome might be decided by set pieces or even a penalty shootout.