Intl. athletes arrive in SZ for AFC U20 Asian Cup

On Feb. 8, Shenzhen Airlines flight ZH310 from Bangkok arrived at the Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport at 4:16 p.m. Among the passengers were members of the Qatar national delegation, who are set to participate in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 in China.

A Jordanian player (in white) competes against Saudi Arabian players (in green) during a game. File photo

With the efficient support of the airport, the delegation smoothly cleared immigration.

“It feels great to be in China. We hope to achieve good results here, so wish us luck,” said Khaled Gouda, a Qatar team member visiting China for the first time.

As of Feb. 8, nearly 160 athletes and staff from countries including Uzbekistan, Iran, Jordan, and Qatar had entered China through the Shenzhen airport. In the coming days, teams from Iraq, South Korea, and Thailand are also expected to arrive.

Pieter Meindertsma, a coach for the Jordanian team, has previously worked in China and holds a deep affection for the country. “We will strive for victory. Every Asian country coming here shares that goal, and I believe we are well-prepared,” he said.

Australian players celebrate after scoring a goal during one of the games in Bao'an. File photo

The Shenzhen airport has strengthened communication with relevant airlines to obtain necessary information about the participating delegations and has assigned dedicated staff to assist with immigration procedures to guarantee efficient, smooth customs clearance, according to a report by Bao’an Daily.

The AFC U20 Asian Cup 2025 is set to be a significant event, with teams from across Asia converging in Shenzhen to compete for the prestigious title. Shenzhen will welcome a stellar cast that includes 12 former winners and 13 of the 16 teams that featured in the previous edition in 2023, with DPRK and Yemen the exceptions.