U16s set new bar for the national program

Hard work secures spot at next year's U17 Asian Cup Finals

China's under-16 soccer team head coach Kenichi Uemura has identified physique, running and stamina as key areas for significant improvement for his team, which has secured its spot at next year's AFC U17 Asian Cup finals.

China has received rave reviews for its impressive performances in the qualifiers, where it managed three victories and one draw to punch its ticket to the final stage as one of the five best group runners-up.

China could have topped the group, as it led 2-1 in its final match against South Korea, but conceded an 87th-minute penalty and had to settle for a second-place finish.