Young guns off to perfect start

China's Under-23s claim third straight win to qualify for last 16

China's men's Under-23 squad delivered a much-needed shot in the arm for the nation's soccer fortunes by qualifying for the last 16 of the Asian Games in brilliant style.

The struggles of China's senior side are well documented, so it came as something of a surprise in Bandung on Sunday when the Under-23s racked up their third straight win at the 18th Asiad with a 2-1 triumph over the United Arab Emirates to finish on top of Group C with a perfect record.