China U20 women’s national team secured their place in the semi-finals of the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 after a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Uzbekistan U20 women’s national team at Thammasat Stadium, Pathum Thani.
The result not only propelled the 2006 champions into the last four but also guaranteed them a spot at the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup 2026, awarded to the tournament’s semi-finalists.
China PR started brightly, pressing Uzbekistan’s defence from the opening minutes. In the third minute, Xie Zongmei tested goalkeeper Ezoza Sevinova with a powerful effort from the right, forcing the Uzbek shot-stopper to punch the ball away.
The rebound fell to Zeng Yujia, but Uzbekistan defenders reacted quickly to block the follow-up attempt.
China continued to push forward, and another opportunity arrived ten minutes later when Xie delivered a precise aerial cross to Zeng Yujia inside the box. However, defender Shahnoza Dekanbaeva intervened to clear the danger.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 28th minute. Yu Jiaqi raced down the left flank before curling a cross into the penalty area, where Zeng Yujia rose highest to head the ball into the centre of the goal.
China doubled their advantage just before half-time. Xie Zongmei produced a dazzling run through the defence and fired a left-footed shot from the left side of the box. While Sevinova initially saved the effort, Yu Jiaqi reacted quickest to the rebound, finishing from close range to make it 2–0.
After the restart, China continued to threaten. Wang Aifang forced another save from Sevinova with a tight-angle attempt in the 56th minute, while Li Ke came close moments later with a header that struck the crossbar.
Li Ke again rattled the woodwork in the 65th minute, heading just off target from a corner delivered by Wang Aifang.
Uzbekistan found a lifeline in the 70th minute when Mehribon Egamberdieva slipped the ball past goalkeeper Wu Jiaxuan after collecting a pass from Asalkhon Aminjonova, reducing the deficit to 2–1.
The Central Asian side pushed for a dramatic equaliser late in the game. Dekanbaeva launched a dangerous run down the left in the 78th minute, but China captain Liu Ling made a crucial defensive intervention to clear the threat.
Uzbekistan had another opportunity from the resulting corner when Mariya Dakhova connected with Aminjonova’s delivery, but defender Xiao Yafei cleared the shot off the line.
China held on for a narrow victory, setting up a blockbuster semi-final clash against Japan.
Credit Photo : HongZheng Lim/SNE-Photo
