On the evening of November 22, the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers Group A matches kicked off in Chongqing. With Shuai Weihao scoring twice, along with goals from Wan Xiang and Zhang Bolin, the Chinese team defeated Bahrain 4-0, securing a winning start.

Chinese team player Zhang Bolin (front left) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the match.

In this match, within just 6 minutes of kickoff, the Chinese team capitalized on a corner kick opportunity, with Weihao heading the ball into the net from close range. In the 24th minute, Wan Xiang received the ball on the right wing, dribbled past defenders, and delivered a through pass to Shuai Weihao, who broke through and scored one-on-one against the goalkeeper, completing his brace. In the 27th minute, Wan Xiang earned a penalty and successfully converted it himself.

Just before halftime, a Bahraini defender was shown a red card by the referee for pulling down a Chinese attacking player. From that point, the match largely lost its suspense.

In the second half, with a numerical advantage, the Chinese team dominated possession, while Bahrain retreated into their own half, focusing on defense. The Chinese team hit the post multiple times, and the Bahraini goalkeeper made several outstanding saves to deny scoring opportunities. It wasn’t until stoppage time that Zhang Bolin tapped in another goal from close range, sealing the 4-0 victory for China.

In these qualifiers, only the group winners are guaranteed advancement to the 2026 U17 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia. According to the schedule, the Chinese team will next face Timor-Leste, Brunei, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh in their group matches.

AFC U17 Asian Cup

The AFC U17 Asian Cup is the premier youth football competition in Asia, organized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). It was first held in 1985 and serves as the continent’s qualification tournament for the FIFA U-17 World Cup. The tournament showcases emerging football talent from across Asia and has a history of launching the careers of future stars.

Chongqing

Chongqing is a major city in southwestern China, strategically located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers. Historically, it served as the provisional capital of China during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945). Today, it is a sprawling megacity and a key economic hub, famous for its mountainous terrain, hot pot cuisine, and foggy weather.

Bahrain

Bahrain is an island nation in the Persian Gulf with a rich history dating back over 4,000 years, once the heart of the ancient Dilmun civilization. It is renowned for the Bahrain Fort (Qal’at al-Bahrain), a UNESCO World Heritage Site that served as the capital of Dilmun and features layers of human occupation. Today, the country is a modern monarchy and a global financial hub, while also preserving its ancient burial mounds and traditional pearl diving heritage.

Timor-Leste

Timor-Leste, also known as East Timor, is a Southeast Asian nation occupying the eastern half of the island of Timor. It was a Portuguese colony for over 400 years before a brief period of Indonesian occupation following a declaration of independence in 1975. The country finally achieved full sovereignty in 2002 after a UN-sponsored transition, making it one of the world’s youngest nations.

Brunei

Brunei is a small sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Historically, it was the center of a powerful empire from the 14th to the 16th centuries that controlled much of Borneo and the Philippines. Today, it is known as a modern, wealthy nation due to its extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, and it is governed as an absolute monarchy under its Sultan.

Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia with a recorded history spanning over 3,000 years, evident in ancient kingdoms like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. It is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, which includes spectacular sites such as the cave temples of Dambulla and the rock fortress of Sigiriya. The country’s culture is a vibrant tapestry woven from indigenous traditions and influences from Buddhism, Hinduism, and colonial powers.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh is a South Asian country formed in 1971 after a war of independence from Pakistan. Its history is deeply rooted in the Bengal region, with a rich cultural heritage influenced by ancient empires, Mughal rule, and the British Raj. The country is renowned for its vibrant traditions, the world’s largest river delta, and the lush Sundarbans mangrove forest.

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a modern nation founded in 1932, but its history is deeply rooted as the birthplace of Islam in the 7th century. It is home to the religion’s two holiest cities, Mecca and Medina, which attract millions of pilgrims annually. The country’s recent history and economy have been profoundly shaped by the discovery of vast oil reserves in the 20th century.