After 28 years, Chinese men's football team finally gets a shot at Games podium

After 28 years of trying and failing, the Chinese men's football team has finally reached an Asian Games semifinal.

On Saturday, China beat Thailand 3-0 in the quarterfinals at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Aichi prefecture, to reach the tournament's final four for the first time since 1998, when it claimed the bronze medal. The result also marked China's first Asian Games semifinal appearance since the men's competition adopted the under-23 format in 2002.

"It has been 28 years since we reached the semifinals, so we took our time to make sure we did everything right," China coach Antonio Puche said after the match.

The Chinese squad, built around the team that finished runner-up at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and reinforced by three senior players — Zhang Yuning, Wu Xi and Zhu Chenjie — took control of the quarterfinal from the outset.

It was rewarded just before halftime, when an effort from Peng Xiao effort led to an own goal by Thailand.

China doubled its advantage shortly after the restart. Kuai Jiwen's cross was headed clear, but Hu Hetao followed up with a powerful strike.

Forward Zhang Yuning, introduced as a substitute, then completed the scoring to send China into the semifinals.

"We played at a high level the whole match," Puche said. "Our running, our attacking, our defending; all were at a high level."

China goalkeeper Li Hao kept a clean sheet, making several important saves in rainy conditions, and said the result reflected the team's pre-match preparations.

"The coaching staff emphasized before the game that their biggest strength was the counterattack," Li said. "As long as we did what we were supposed to do, they would not be able to launch their counterattacks."

The shutout also gave the goalkeeper confidence heading into the final stages of the tournament.

"This was one of the more comfortable matches we have played at the Asian Games," Li said.

Zhang said he had no complaints about starting on the bench.

"As players, we simply follow and fully execute the tactical plan," he said.

Despite the three-goal margin, Zhang insisted the match had been far from easy. "We didn't score until the final minute of the first half," he said. "But there are no weak teams once you reach the knockout stage."

China will now turn its attention to South Korea, which defeated Vietnam 4-0 in its quarterfinal. The two teams will meet in the semifinal on Sept 30 at Nagai Stadium in Osaka.

For Li, however, reaching the last four is not the destination.

"History hasn't ended here," he said. "We will continue to give our all."

Zhang said the team would approach the semifinal in the same way.

"Every match carries pressure when you represent the national team," he said. "We will take it one game at a time, analyze our opponents carefully and try to put on a performance that everyone can be satisfied with."