Kuai Jiwen and Liu Chengyu scored in the first half as host China edged Qatar 2-1 in the AFC U20 Asian Cup opening match on Wednesday.

In the 16-team tournament, China has been drawn into Group A alongside Australia, Qatar and Kyrgyzstan. The home team aims at entering the top four to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, ending a 20-year absence from the global stage.

Players of China pose for photo before its AFC U20 Asian Cup opening match against Qatar in Shenzhen, China, on Feb. 12, 2025. (Xinhua, Lixulun)

The home team started the match strongly with over 60 percent ball possession in the first half and broke the deadlock in the 17th minute when Kuai fired a low strike into the far corner thanks to an assist from Mao Weijie.

Four minutes later, Chen Zeshi delivered a direct pass through the Qatari defense line and assisted Liu to dribble over the goalkeeper in a one-on-one opportunity, doubling the lead for the home side.

The Qatari team pulled one goal back in the 55th minute as Mahomaed Faragalla netted an open goal after Tahsin Jamshid crossed the ball into the penalty area.

Both sides had few chances in the last 30 minutes of the match and China sealed the 2-1 victory.

In the other Group A match on Wednesday, Australia crushed Kyrgyzstan 5-1. China will play its second group match against Kyrgyzstan on Saturday.