JEDDAH, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- China missed the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup title after losing to defending champion Japan 4-0 in the final on Saturday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

China reached the final for the first time after defeating Vietnam 3-0 in Tuesday's semifinals.

Yuto Ozeki and Kosei Ogura put Japan 2-0 ahead in the first half, before Ryunosuke Sato and Ogura rounded out the scoreline.

Having won the title in 2016 and 2024, Japan beat South Korea 1-0 in the semifinals.

The defending champion had taken the initiative in the opening minutes and forced a couple of corners while at the other end China also had the chance as Xiang Yuwang failed to make the most of a long ball with his header too weak to surprise Japan's goalkeeper Rui Araki.

China's conceded its first goal of the tournament when Ozeki's strike took a deflection off China's defender Peng Xiao to go beyond a helpless goalie Li Hao 12 minutes into the match.

Ogura won back possession out of the box as the midfielder took a few touches before unleashing a rocket into the bottom corner eight minutes later.

Sato converted a penalty around the hour mark to make it 3-0 before a poor clearance went for Ogura whose first-time attempt took another deflection into the net.

China had a goal denied in the 68th minute when Yang Xi was alert to poke in the follow-up, but it was wiped out for offside.

On Friday, Vietnam claimed the bronze by conquering South Korea 7-6 on penalties after the two sides played out 2-2 in 120 minutes.  ■