▲ China’s U-17 team, widely billed as the country’s strongest ever, suffered a shock defeat to Indonesia in the Asian Cup group-stage opener — a stinging result after they had beaten Indonesia 10-2 across two friendlies earlier this year. ⓒ Chinese Football Association
[SPOTV News = Reporter Cho Yong-woon] Chinese football is in shock after a stunning upset in Jeddah.
In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, China fell 0-1 to Indonesia in the opening Group B match of the 2026 AFC U-17 Asian Cup. Indonesia entered the game as the underdog, but China stumbled to a surprising defeat.
The tournament hands out berths to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar this November to the top eight teams. Winning the opener would have positioned China favorably for qualification and a smoother path through the knockout rounds; instead, the loss puts them on the back foot from the start.
What made the result especially shocking was the expectation around this squad — it had been labeled a “golden generation.” In last year’s U-17 Asian Cup qualifying, China went 5-0, scoring 42 goals and conceding none, running past Bahrain, East Timor, Brunei, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with authority.
China also entered the match with a psychological edge over Indonesia. The teams met twice in friendlies this year, with China winning 7-0 and 3-2, creating confidence that a convincing group-stage opener was likely.
On the surface, China controlled the match. They posted about 60% possession and registered 19 shots. But their finishing was abysmal: despite several clear opportunities, they repeatedly failed to convert. Indonesia decided the match with a single on-target effort — in the 42nd minute of the second half — capitalizing late when concentration mattered most.
The loss sparked panic at home, and criticism has poured in aimed at Japan-born head coach Toshimitsu Ukijima. Prominent Chinese pundit Miao Yuan warned of serious problems within the squad’s internal environment and expressed doubts about China’s chances of reaching the World Cup.
▲ China’s U-17 team, widely billed as the country’s strongest ever, suffered a shock defeat to Indonesia in the Asian Cup group-stage opener — a stinging result after they had beaten Indonesia 10-2 across two friendlies earlier this year. ⓒ Chinese Football Association
Miao argued that a team with a clear talent advantage inexplicably deployed a baffling starting lineup and made puzzling substitutions in an official match, suggesting the issues go beyond simple tactical mistakes. Public sentiment has turned to questioning Ukijima’s decision-making.
Chinese outlet Sina Sports pointed out China’s average squad height of 180 cm (about 5 ft 11 in), compared with Indonesia’s 173 cm (about 5 ft 8 in), noting China’s past wins relied heavily on aerial dominance. The outlet criticized Ukijima for benching 190+ cm striker Zhao Songyuan and instead fielding smaller players in central positions, a move it called hard to justify.
The piece grew more scathing, saying Ukijima’s behavior appeared odd and that there’s clearly a coaching problem behind the team’s limp collapse to an opponent they once beat by seven goals. The article even asked whether there had been reports of Ukijima suffering a brain disease, accusing the coach’s management of the squad of looking irrational.
Meanwhile, South Korea — coached by Kim Hyun-joon — drew 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates in their Group C opener. Korea fell behind in the eighth minute but salvaged a hard-fought draw when An Ju-wan scored the equalizer in the 43rd minute of the second half. Korea will face Vietnam in their second match on the 11th.
▲ China’s U-17 team, widely billed as the country’s strongest ever, suffered a shock defeat to Indonesia in the Asian Cup group-stage opener — a stinging result after they had beaten Indonesia 10-2 across two friendlies earlier this year. ⓒ AFC
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