China U23 vs North Korea U23 Preview and Betting Tips - Tight Contest Predicted in Asian Games Clash

Tolu Shotade

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Last updated: Mon 14 Sep 2026 12:19

Tolu Shotade 2 hours ago

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Both teams are unbeaten in most recent matches.
Their last meeting ended in a draw.
A closely-fought stalemate is likely in this Group B clash.

Players of China U23 (Getty Images)

China U23 vs North Korea U23 Asian Games Preview
Key Stats
North Korea on Top
China Showing Good Form
North Korea Looking Sharp
Team News & Predicted Line-ups

China U23 vs North Korea U23 Asian Games Preview

China and North Korea square off in a Group B clash in the football event at the 2026 Asian Games.

With both teams showing similar form at the moment, they come into this clash evenly matched and could be set to cancel each other out.

Key Stats

China U23 are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
North Korea U23 are unbeaten in eight of their last nine matches in all competitions.
North Korea U23 have drawn two of their last three matches in all competitions.

North Korea on Top

North Korea are unbeaten in the two previous matches against China. The Chollima claimed a 3-0 victory in an Asian Games clash back in 2014 before holding out for a 1-1 draw in March this year.

China Showing Good Form

China head into their Group B opener off the back of a 3-0 victory over Tajikistan in a friendly. First-half efforts from Mutellip Iminqari and Aihui Zhang put them in control of the clash while Yuwang Xiang completed the rout after the break.

Antonio Puche’s team have been impressive lately, winning their last three friendly matches. Among their results in this run is a 1-0 victory over Vietnam back in March.

Beyond the three recent friendlies, China’s overall form has been solid lately. They are unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches in all competitions, picking up five wins in this run.

North Korea Looking Sharp

North Korea’s last outing was a friendly back in March as they claimed a 3-1 victory over Thailand. An Kyung-ung and Ri Il-sung gave them a two-goal lead at halftime before Chu Kung added the third after the break.

That result is part of a solid run of form for North Korea, who are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions. However, having had their last fixture months ago, manager Kim Yung-jun will be hoping there is no rustiness in the team.

Prior to the win over Thailand, North Korea had played out successive draws in their previous two matches. Among the results in this run is a 1-1 scoreline with China.

Team News & Predicted Line-ups

China (4-3-3): Li Hao; Hu Hetao, He Yiran, Liu Haofan, Alex Yang; Xi Bin, Mutellip Iminqari, Mao Weijie; Wang Yudong, Zhang Yuning, Behram Abduweli.

Iminqari has caught the eye for China lately and should start in midfield. He Yiran and Liu Haofan are expected to partner in central defence while Abduweli is set to lead the line.

North Korea (4-4-2): Kang Ju-hyeok; Han Jae-yong, Cho Ryong-il, Jung Hwi-nam, Ri Song-hung; Ri Il-Song, Kim Kuk-Bom, Ra Myong-song, Ryang Kwang-myong; An Kyung-ung, Ri Kum-chol.

An Kyung-ung should feature in attack for North Korea alongside Ri Kum-chol. Ra Myong-song is expected to start in midfield while Cho Ryong-il and Jung Hwi-nam should partner in central defence.

Verdict

China U23 v North Korea U23

China and North Korea cancelled each other out in their last meeting back in March and have been in good form heading into Wednesday's clash.

There appears to be little to separate them at the moment, and they could be set for another stalemate in this one.

Draw

Full Time Result

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Worked as a sports anchor on radio between 2007 and 2012 before switching to television. Tolu was the lead presenter for the Italian Serie A, English Premier League and German Bundesliga on satellite television in Africa and joined SuperSport in 2017. He began writing for freetips.com in 2018 and has a deep knowledge of the African leagues as well as Europe's top 5 leagues including the UEFA Champions League and Europa League. Favourite Sports: Football addict with interests in boxing and tennis.