Players of China line up prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
DOHA, April 22 (Xinhua) -- China beat the United Arab Emirates 2-1 in their final group match at the U23 Asian Cup here on Monday, exiting the tournament with one win and two losses.
Having already lost the chance of progressing from the group after losing to Japan and South Korea, China head coach Cheng Yaodong only made one change to his starting lineup from the last match, with Li Hao replacing Huang Zihao in goal.
Xie Wenneng scored China's first goal of the tournament in the 24th minute when he collected a loose ball inside the box after a corner and volleyed home.
China's second goal came courtesy of a mistake from the UAE defenders, as Liu Zhurun stole the ball and sent it into an empty net just before halftime.
The UAE pulled one back through Ahmed Fawzi three minutes into the second half, but they couldn't find an equalizer as Li made multiple saves.
In Group B's other match, South Korea edged Japan 1-0 to top the group, while Japan also qualified for the knockout stage after finishing second.
The remaining eight qualified teams will compete for three direct tickets to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, while the fourth-placed team will face Guinea in a play-off for the last Olympic spot. ■
Baihelamu Abuduwaili (R) of China vies with Sultan Ali Albedwawi (L) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's head coach Cheng Yaodong (R) react after the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's head coach Cheng Yaodong reacts during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's head coach Cheng Yaodong (C) sings national anthem before the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Players of China enters the pitch prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's head coach Cheng Yaodong (L) shakes hand with United Arab Emirates head coach Marcelo Carlo Broli prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Jia Feifan of China control the ball during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
United Arab Emirates' head coach Marcelo Carlo Broli looks on before the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Spectators cheer prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's head coach Cheng Yaodong looks on before the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Tao Qianglong (R) of China vies with Abdulla Hamad Almenhali of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Li Hao (3rd L) of China vies for the ball during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Liu Zhurun (2nd L) of China celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Xie Wenneng (R) of China vies with Mohammed Jumah Almansoori (L) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Liu Zhurun (R) of China celebrates after scoring the second goal during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Xie Wenneng (R) of China celebrates after scoring during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Tao Qianglong (C) of China vies with Sultan Ali Albedwawi (L) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's players and coaching staff celebrate in front of their fans after the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Liu Zhurun (R) of China vies with Mohamed Abdelrahman (bottom) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Xie Wenneng (R) of China vies with Ahmad Fawzi Abdalla (L) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Xie Wenneng (L) of China vies with Mohammed Jumah Almansoori (R) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Liu Zhurun (R) of China vies with Mohamed Abdelrahman (L) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Starting players of China line up prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Substitutes and coaches of China line up for national anthems before the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Players of United Arab Emirates line up prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Xie Wenneng (L) of China vies with Mohammad Yousuf Ahmad (R) of United Arab Emirates during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Li Hao of China reacts during the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
China's players and coaching staff celebrate in front of their fans after the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Starting players of United Arab Emirates line up prior to the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
Sultan Ali Albedwawi (R) of United Arab Emirates looks dejected after the Group B football match between China and United Arab Emirates of AFC U23 Asian Cup Qatar 2024 in Doha, Qatar, April 22, 2024. (Photo by Nikku/Xinhua)
