In the third group stage match of the 2026 U17 Asian Cup, the Chinese U17 national team faced host nation Qatar with their tournament hopes on the line. He Sifan delivered a stunning long-range strike to give China a dream start, netting a brilliant goal that set the stage for a crucial contest.
China entered the match needing a win to keep their qualification hopes alive. The team had shown promise in qualifying, scoring 42 goals in five matches, with a roster boasting versatile forwards like Zhao Songyuan, Shuai Weihao, and Zhang Bolin, alongside creative attackers such as Kuang Zhaolei, Wan Xiang, Xie Jin, and He Sifan.
However, in the opening game against Indonesia, China dominated possession (60.8%) and had 19 shots (3 on target) but failed to score, while Indonesia’s solitary shot on target found the net. Against Japan, China again controlled the ball (55%) but managed only five attempts, with Zhao Songyuan scoring the team’s first goal of the tournament in a match where Japan fired 11 shots (5 on target).
Historically, China has faced Qatar five times in the U17 Asian Cup. They failed to score in 1988 and 1990, won 1-0 in the 1992 group stage thanks to a Xiao Zhanbo goal, and then beat Qatar on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the final. In 1994, China lost 1-2 in the group stage. Notably, China has now scored in four consecutive matches against Qatar in this competition.
Against Qatar this time, China seized control from the start. In the third minute, Wan Xiang’s corner found Zhao Songyuan, whose header went just wide. In the sixth minute, a defensive error saw Wan Xiang’s powerful shot blocked. Then, in the 14th minute, He Sifan received the ball on the right side of the penalty area, cut inside, and unleashed a fierce right-footed strike into the net, making it 1-0.
This goal marked China’s second consecutive match with a goal in this Asian Cup and maintained their perfect scoring record against Qatar in the tournament.