TIPS - China(U23) VS Japan(U23)

[(China(U23)) Strength]:
1. For the young players of China(U23), this final is a dream journey with no pressure. Making their first-ever appearance in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final, from being underdogs to challenging for the Asian championship, the players and coaching staff are eager to write a milestone, driven by strong desire for victory and a sense of honor.
2. China(U23) goalkeeper Li Hao has made 24 crucial saves in this tournament with a save success rate of 94%, serving as the anchor of the defense.
3. China(U23) head coach Antonio Puche can flexibly adjust tactics based on the opponents, changing formations in the semifinals to control the rhythm. In the last semifinal, China(U23) defeated Viet Nam(U23) 3-0.
4. China(U23) have a high proportion of set-piece goals, with players like Behram Abduweli showing significant aerial advantages, making it a core weapon against compact defenses.
5. China(U23) performed exceptionally well in this AFC U-23 Asian Cup. In their last 5 AFC U-23 Asian Cup matches, they recorded 2 wins and 3 draws, remaining unbeaten and advancing to the final. In the last semifinal, they defeated Viet Nam(U23) 3-0.
6. China(U23) have not conceded a single goal in regular time across 5 matches in this tournament, demonstrating an extremely solid defensive system.
7. China(U23) won 3 of their last 4 matches in AH, showing strong recent performances.

[(China(U23)) Neutral]:
1. In their last 2 AFC U-23 Asian Cup encounters, China(U23) recorded 1 win and 1 loss, with past performances being evenly matched.

[(Japan(U23)) Strength]:
1. Japan(U23)'s motivation leans more toward defending their honor and achieving their goals. As the defending champions and the benchmark for Asian youth development, winning the championship is their sole objective, and their determination is unquestionable.
2. Japan(U23)'s 19-year-old midfield core Ryunosuke Sato has contributed 3 goals and 2 assists, serving as the team's offensive engine.
3. Japan(U23) head coach Go Oiwa has strong tactical adjustment abilities, with extensive experience in dealing with compact defenses and in-game management.
4. Japan(U23) recorded 4 wins and 1 draw in this tournament, remaining unbeaten and advancing, showing very stable overall performance. In the last semifinal, they defeated Korea Republic(U23) 1-0.
5. Japan(U23) scored 12 goals in their last 5 matches, making them the most attacking team in this tournament. They have conceded only 1 goal in their last 5 matches, showing solid defensive performance.
6. Japan(U23) won 4 of their last 5 matches in AH, showing favorable recent trends.

[(Japan(U23)) Weakness]:
1. According to Japanese media reports, Japan(U23) captain and starting defender Rion Ichihara is likely to miss the match due to injury, which is a significant blow to the defensive system.

[Tips]:
This final is the pinnacle showdown of Asian youth football.

China(U23) historically reached the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final for the first time, having not conceded a single goal in their previous five matches, setting a tournament record.

Their opponents, Japan(U23), are the defending champions, having scored 12 goals in five matches this tournament, showcasing formidable attacking prowess.

Japan(U23)'s goal is naturally to defend their title.

This is destined to be a closely contested battle.

Japan(U23) hold the advantage in overall strength and ball control, but China(U23)'s solid defense, clear tactical approach, and the potential absence of Japan(U23)'s starting defender Rion Ichihara add significant suspense to the championship outcome.

Comprehensive analysis suggests that China(U23) are likely to remain unbeaten in regular time and may even have a chance to make history.

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China(U23) (+1)