Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Australia scored two goals in two minutes to upset host China 2-1 in here on Tuesday, winning the group A of U20 AFC Cup.
The two teams made several changes in their starting line-ups, as they have already secured their spots in the final eight after both beating Qatar and Kyrgyzstan in their first two matches.
Australia broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute as Medin Memeti slotted home by China's goalkeeper Liu Qiwei.
The young Socceroos needed only two minutes to double its lead, as Louis Agosti's shot was deflected by Qi Qiancheng into the back of the net.
The host pulled one goal back in the 29th minute when Xu Junchi rolled across from the right, Kuai Jiwen flicked it up into the air before hitting in a volley.
China continued to push for the equalizer but its attempts fell in vain as Australia held firm to finish its group stage with a perfect record.
Having won all three matches, Australia will play the Group B runner-up in the quarterfinal while China will face the Group B winner. ■
Xiong Jizheng (R) of China vies with Paul Okon-Engstler of Australia during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Medin Memeti (R) of Australia vies with Qi Qiancheng of China during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Tiago Quintal (R) of Australia vies with Kuai Jiwen of China during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Luka Jovanovic (2nd L) of Australia shoots during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Kuai Jiwen (L) of China vies with Jaylan Pearman of Australia during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Daniel Bennie (L) and Tiago Quintal (R) of Australia compete with Xiong Jizheng of China during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Tiago Quintal (L) of Australia competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Alexander Robinson, goalkeeper of China, makes a save during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Wang Yifan (C) of China competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Kuai Jiwen (2nd L) of China celebrates scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Zhu Pengyu (L) of China vies with Zach Lisolajski of Australia during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Alex Robinson (front), goalkeeper of Australia, reacts after missing a goal by Kuai Jiwen of China during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Medin Memeti (L) of Australia breaks through during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Wang Yifan (R) of China vies with Jaylan Pearman of Australia during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Fans of China cheer during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Medin Memeti (R) of Australia competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Louis Agosti (R) of Australia celebrates scoring with teammates during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Fabian Talladira (R) of Australia vies with Xu Junchi of China during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Tiago Quintal (L) of Australia shoots during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Hanxin)
Kuai Jiwen (R) of China celebrates scoring with teammate during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Starting players of Australia pose for a group photo before the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Zhang Zhixiong (3rd L) of China vies with Jaylan Pearman (2nd L) of Australia during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Kuai Jiwen (R) of China shoots during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Kuai Jiwen (2nd L) of China shoots to score during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei)
Starting players of China pose for a group photo before the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Xu Junchi (up) of China competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Tiago Quintal (L) of Australia competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Players of Australia celebrate scoring during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
Jaylan Pearman of Australia competes during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xulun)
Zach Lisolajski (C) of Australia vies for a header during the Group A match between China and Australia at the AFC U20 Asian Cup football tournament in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Feb. 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)
