Shenzhen, China: The Qatar U-20 national  team kicked off their AFC U-20 Asian Cup campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 loss against hosts China in Shenzhen on Tuesday. Despite the defeat, the young Maroons displayed determination and growth, offering hope for their upcoming matches in the tournament, which runs from February 12 to March 1. The match began with China asserting early dominance, capitalizing on home advantage to score two quick goals. Guo Jiwen opened the scoring in the 17th minute, followed by Lu Tong’s strike in the 20th minute, leaving Qatar trailing 2-0 at halftime. However, the Qatari side refused to be discouraged and returned to the pitch with renewed energy in the second half. Their persistence paid off in the 55th minute when Mohammed Hani found the back of the net, reigniting hopes of a comeback. The goal sparked a wave of attacks from Qatar, but the Chinese defense held firm, denying the Maroons an equalizer. Despite their valiant efforts, the match ended 2-1 in favor of China. The Qatar U-20 team now shifts its focus to their next crucial encounter against Australia on Friday, February 14, at 12:15 PM Doha time. A positive result against the Aussies will be vital for Qatar’s chances of advancing to the knockout stages. Their final group stage match will be against Kyrgyzstan on February 18. Coach and players alike remain optimistic, emphasizing the lessons learned from the opening match. The team’s improved second-half performance demonstrated their potential to compete at this level, and they are determined to bounce back stronger in their upcoming fixtures. With the support of their fans and a clear game plan, the young Maroons aim to keep their tournament dreams alive.