Asia's brightest soccer players on show in city

The match between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Iraq ended in a 1-1 draw during the AFC U20 Asian Cup in the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center Stadium in Longhua District on Thursday. In Wednesday’s opening match, China, placed in Group A, defeated Qatar 2-1. The host team will face Kyrgyzstan in its second group match Saturday. China aims to finish in the top four to qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, ending a 20-year absence from the global stage. Sixteen teams have set their sights on ultimate glory at the tournament. 

A player (R) from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea fights for the ball in a match against Iraq during the AFC U20 Asian Cup in the Longhua Cultural and Sports Center Stadium in Longhua District on Thursday, the second day of the tournament which is being staged in Shenzhen. Liu Xudong