Under-19 side sinks to historic low point

China Under-19 head coach Cheng Yaodong delivered a damning assessment of the country's youth ranks after his team failed to qualify for the AFC U-19 Championship for the first time in 25 years.

A 4-1 defeat to South Korea in Yangon, Myanmar, ended China's chances of reaching next year's tournament.

With two wins and a defeat, China finished second in Group I but failing to secure a qualification spot as one of the four best runners-up.