After a 0–3 loss to Japan in the U15 East Asia Cup, the reaction in Japan stood in sharp contrast to the wave of criticism coming from the Chinese side. Rather than dismissing the hosts, many Japanese fans offered surprisingly positive feedback on China’s U15 team—some even saying that, after watching the match, they identified several Chinese players with real potential.
Japanese media first focused on the clear scoreline: China U15, playing at home, were beaten by three goals in their opening game. At the same time, reports also referenced Dong Lu’s explanation for the defeat, noting his view that several key players—such as Liu Kaiyuan—were unable to participate, which weakened the team significantly. He argued that with a full-strength lineup, China could have been capable of defeating Japan.
The match quickly became a talking point among Japanese supporters, who shared a wide range of opinions. Some fans commented that after watching the highlights, Japan’s performance didn’t look particularly sharp—calling the tempo sluggish, the pressing loose, and suggesting the team benefited from opponent mistakes to create chances.
Even so, multiple Japanese fans emphasized that China’s players showed encouraging qualities. In their view, Japan’s defense may have relaxed at times, but that didn’t take away from the fact that several Chinese players stood out with strong individual moments and noticeable upside.
Others offered a broader reflection on the current gap in development. One common comparison was that China’s team today resembles Japan from 20 to 30 years ago: capable of producing flashes of good football, but often lacking the experience and composure in the final phase—where a single decisive action can determine the match. In contrast, they argued, truly top teams still find ways to win even when they are not at their best.
Some Japanese fans went further, pointing to structural factors. With a population more than ten times larger than Japan’s, they felt China should—at least in theory—have a deeper pool of talented youth players. However, they suggested that if coaching quality and development standards across age groups are not consistently strengthened, the outcome will continue to look the same.
They also highlighted Japan’s long-term goal of building “depth”: having enough high-level players in the same age group to form two squads of similar strength. In the eyes of these fans, that kind of talent thickness—and the system behind it—may be one of the most valuable lessons for China to study as youth football continues to evolve.
