China’s U17 national team secured a 2-0 victory over Qatar in the Asian Cup knockout stage, booking their spot in the U-17 World Cup for the first time in 21 years. While the win was celebrated, the final minutes of the match left many Chinese fans on edge, as the team struggled to maintain composure and resorted to desperate clearances under pressure. The fear of a “black three minutes” collapse lingered until the final whistle brought relief.
A 2-0 lead is never safe in football, and this game was no exception. Goalscorers He Sifan and Zhang Bolin were the heroes. The match concluded early on May 13 Beijing time, marking a historic moment for Chinese football after a two-decade absence from the U-17 World Cup. This is China’s seventh appearance in the tournament, with their best results being two quarterfinal finishes.
From the start, China played aggressively. In the 4th minute, Zhao Songyuan headed just wide. He threatened again with long-range shots in the 7th and 11th minutes. The breakthrough came in the 14th minute: Wan Xiang delivered a long pass, and He Sifan finished with a precise curling shot into the net, making it 1-0. In the 21st minute, He Sifan cut inside and fired another shot that was saved. In the 41st minute, Shuai Weihao’s angled effort was cleared.
In the second half, China continued to press. In the 61st minute, Zhang Bolin’s one-on-one chance was blocked. Qatar had a close call in the 64th minute, missing a close-range effort. In the 71st minute, China doubled their lead: Wan Xiang assisted Zhang Bolin for a header, making it 2-0. However, the final stage saw China’s defense unravel, with panic clearances and a lack of control. They held on, but the performance raised concerns.
Qatar pushed hard late on, and many observers felt that another match could have gone either way. Luck played its part, but the team needs to improve its ball retention under pressure. Head coach Fushima Satoshi’s substitutions were also criticized by fans, with some questioning his tactics. Despite individual talents, the team lacked coherence, leading to calls for a coaching change before the World Cup. The question remains whether the Chinese Football Association has the courage to make such a move.
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