AFC U17 Asian Cup Japan survive China PR fightback to clinch title
Jeddah: Japan staved off a second-half fightback from China PR to emerge the AFC U17 Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2026™ champions with a 3-2 win in the final at the King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium Legends on Friday. The trophy was lifted for a record-extending fifth time after Japan survived a scare in the second half, with China PR fighting back from 3-0 down to come within a whisker of pulling off a sensational comeback.
China PR made just one change to the line-up that defeated Australia 2-0 in the semi-finals – Pan Chaowei replacing Zhao Songyuan – while Japan opted for six from their 3-2 win on penalties against Uzbekistan.
Japan made a positive start with Takeshi Wada having the first sight on goal in the fifth minute, drilling a low shot wide from outside the box, before Tafuku Satomi and Maki Kitahara both saw their efforts miss the mark.
China PR continued to frustrate Japan with their tight man-marking but Japan almost found a way through in the 21st minute after Qin Ziniu pounced on a loose back pass before releasing Satomi, whose grounded effort went straight into the arms of China PR goalkeeper Qin Ziniu.
The breakthrough finally came a minute after the half-hour mark with Satomi collecting Wada’s pass before cutting into the right side of the box and drilling a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Japan’s high pressing broke China PR again in the 42nd minute after Wada collected a loose ball and freed Kakeru Saito inside the box, with the latter beating Qin with a deft touch before slotting home.
Japan’s high pressing broke China PR again in the 42nd minute after Wada collected a loose ball and freed Kakeru Saito inside the box, with the latter beating Qin with a deft touch before slotting home.
Japan’s high pressing broke China PR again in the 42nd minute after Wada collected a loose ball and freed Kakeru Saito inside the box, with the latter beating Qin with a deft touch before slotting home.
Japan’s high pressing broke China PR again in the 42nd minute after Wada collected a loose ball and freed Kakeru Saito inside the box, with the latter beating Qin with a deft touch before slotting home.
China PR were again caught in transition in the second minute of stoppage time with Wada setting up Kitahara (pictured above, left), who finished with a composed strike into the bottom right corner from just above the area to take his personal tally to six goals.
China PR, chasing their first title since 2004, were put under immediate pressure after the restart with Saito finding space inside the box but sent his effort just over the bar.
However, Bin Ukishima’s side refused to give up and reduced the deficit a minute later after Shuai Weihao surged down the right flank before threading the ball to Wang Xiang, who finished with a delicate chip over Japan custodian Kosei Oshita.
Chances opened up for China PR after that with Zhao Songyuan seeing his effort from inside the box blocked just after the hour mark while at the other end, Kitahara almost doubled his tally in the 72nd minute, sending his grounded effort just wide of the left post.
China PR, however, stayed composed and their sustained pressure earned them a penalty in the 77th minute after Anthony Motosuna brought down Zhao Songyuan, who converted the ensuing spot-kick.
However, a third goal eluded them as Japan held on to seal the win and clinch their fifth title.
