Japan Secures Historic Back-to-Back AFC U-23 Asian Cup Titles with Dominant 4-0 Victory Over China

Japan Claims Third AFC U-23 Asian Cup Crown

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – Japan's Under-23 national football team has made history, securing their third overall and second consecutive AFC U-23 Asian Cup title with a commanding 4-0 victory over China in the final. The decisive match took place on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at the Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, solidifying Japan's status as the most successful nation in the tournament's history.

Dominant Performance Seals the Win

Japan showcased their superiority from the outset, with Yuto Ozeki opening the scoring in the 12th minute. Just eight minutes later, Kosei Ogura doubled Japan's lead in the 20th minute. The second half saw no let-up from the Japanese side, as Ryunosuke Sato converted a penalty in the 59th minute, extending their advantage. Ogura then completed his brace in the 76th minute, sealing the emphatic 4-0 win. Japan's goalkeeper, Rui Araki, maintained a clean sheet throughout the final. The match was attended by 8,188 spectators.

Japan's Unbeaten Path to Glory

Under the guidance of coach Gō Ōiwa, Japan's U-23 squad, which notably featured a U-21 contingent in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, demonstrated exceptional form throughout the tournament. They concluded their campaign with an impressive record, scoring a total of 16 goals and conceding only one across six fixtures. This victory marks Japan's third title, following their triumphs in 2016 and 2024, making them the first team to win back-to-back championships. Kosei Ogura was named the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance, while Ryunosuke Sato earned the tournament's MVP award, having scored four goals.

China's Historic Runner-Up Finish

Despite the heavy defeat in the final, China's journey to the runner-up position represents their best-ever finish in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup. Coached by Antonio Puche, the Chinese team had a remarkable run, reaching the final for the first time in their history after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in the semifinals. Prior to the final, China had been unbeaten and had not conceded a single goal in the tournament. Midfielder Xu Bin acknowledged the gap between the teams, stating, 'My feeling is that we need to face up to this gap.' Defender Hu Hetao also commented that the team 'failed to show our best game' in the final. The team's performance, however, garnered widespread praise at home, with the General Administration of Sport of China crediting them for 'igniting new hope for the revitalisation of Chinese football.'