Sports丨U16s set new bar for the national program

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China's under-16 soccer team head coach Kenichi Uemura has identified physique, running and stamina as key areas for significant improvement for his team, which has secured its spot at next year's AFC U17 Asian Cup finals. ▲ China's under-16 team's morale-boosting performances in the qualifiers for next year's AFC U17 Asian Cup finals have indicated that China does have the ability to play a modern brand of soccer. Xinhua China has received rave reviews for its impressive performances in the qualifiers, where it managed three victories and one draw to punch its ticket to the final stage as one of the five best group runners-up. China could have topped the group, as it led 2-1 in its final match against South Korea, but conceded an 87th-minute penalty and had to settle for a second-place finish. However, the Chinese side still impressed fans with its high pressing, quick transitions and fighting spirit. This was in stark contrast to when Uemura was appointed head coach in February, w ………………………………