China's U17 Women Open World Cup With 3-0 Win Over Kenya
China’s under-17 women’s team opened their World Cup campaign with a confident 3-0 win over Kenya on Sunday, earning three points in Group E and a spot at the top of the early standings. The match, played in the early hours of Monday morning Beijing time, showcased a young squad eager to make an impression on the global stage.
The scoring began in the 12th minute when Xu Yue, a forward with a knack for finding space in the box, collected a pass from Wu Yichen and calmly slotted a low shot past the Kenyan goalkeeper. It was a composed finish that set the tone for a dominant first half.
China doubled their lead early in the second half through Xu Xiaotang, who pounced on a rebound after Fang Zhenzhu’s long-range strike cannoned off the crossbar. Xu Xiaotang, a midfielder known for her late runs into the penalty area, reacted fastest to double the advantage.
She added her second of the night minutes later, again arriving in the right place at the right time to convert a low cross from Fang Zhenzhu. The brace made her the standout performer of the match and underlined China’s attacking depth.
Kenya, making their presence felt in the tournament, struggled to contain China’s quick transitions and struggled to create clear chances of their own. The African side will look to regroup before their next group fixture.
There was one concern for China: midfielder Liu Yuke was forced off with an injury in the second half. Her condition will be assessed by the team’s medical staff in the coming days, with the coaching staff hopeful she can return for the remainder of the group stage.
The win gives China a valuable early advantage in a group that promises to be competitive. With three points on the board and a healthy goal difference, the team can approach their next match with confidence.
The U17 Women’s World Cup is a key stage for emerging talent, and China’s performance will be closely watched by fans back home. The young squad’s next outing will test their consistency as they aim to build on a promising start.
China’s youth teams have increasingly focused on international competition as a development tool, and this result will be seen as a positive step. The players now have a chance to showcase their skills to a wider audience and perhaps catch the eye of scouts from professional clubs.
For now, the team can savour a job well done. The opening win is exactly what the coach would have wanted: a clean sheet, multiple scorers and a platform to build on. The focus will quickly shift to recovery and preparation for the next challenge.
As the tournament unfolds, China’s U17 women will aim to maintain their momentum. A strong showing here could inspire the next generation of players and add another chapter to the country’s growing football story.