China began the 2026 U-17 Women's World Cup with a win. Ma Xiaoxu's side beat Kenya 3–0 in Rabat, Morocco, on October 19, China Standard Time (UTC+8). Xu Yue scored before halftime, then Xu Xiaotang added goals in the 50th and 53rd minutes. China next faces Samoa on October 22 at 23:00 China Standard Time (UTC+8).
Xu Yue opens before Xu Xiaotang scores twice in three minutes
The match took place on Pitch 1 at the Mohammed VI Women's Football Complex. China created an early chance when Xu Yue received on the left of the area, turned and shot just over. In the twelfth minute, a move from the back found Wu Yichen, who evaded a defender and played through for Xu Yue to run into the box and finish past the goalkeeper.
China kept combining in attack. In the 31st minute, Fang Zhenzhu played behind the defense from the right, with Wu Yichen escaping her marker before having a shot saved. In the 44th, Wu drove in from the left and her tight-angle attempt was tipped behind. Despite several chances, China led by only one at halftime.
The decisive second-half change came in three minutes. In the 50th, after China won possession high up the field, Fang hit the bar from distance and Xu Xiaotang followed up for 2–0. In the 53rd, Fang advanced down the left and crossed for Xu to head in at the far post and complete her double.
Substitutions began in the 64th minute. Late on, Xu Xiaotang shot over from a corner and Fang also lifted a finish over after receiving a cross. China added no more but retained 3–0. A run onto a through ball, a rebound and a far-post header showed different attacking combinations.
Result and goals
| Match | Score | China goals |
|---|---|---|
| China U-17 Women—Kenya U-17 Women | 3—0 | Xu Yue 12; Xu Xiaotang 50, 53 |
Qualification remains the next goal after opening victory
The 24 teams are divided into six groups. The top two in each and the four best third-placed sides make the sixteen-team knockout stage. China shares Group E with Kenya, Samoa and the USA. Three points establish a start, but the next two results still determine positions and qualification.
China departed for Morocco on October 2. Before leaving, coach Ma Xiaoxu called for focus, confidence, courage and teamwork in every match. Contributions here went beyond the two scorers: Wu supplied the opening through ball, while Fang's long shot and cross helped produce both second-half goals.
INKA SPORTS analysis: Following up turns opportunities into a score advantage
The dividing point was the lead's rapid expansion after halftime. China had threatened repeatedly before the break but led by one. When the long shot hit the bar in the 50th minute, Xu Xiaotang's follow-up kept the move from ending against the frame; three minutes later she met a cross at the far post. Both goals converted supporting positions after an initial action into effective shots rather than relying on one ball carrier to complete everything.
Late chances remained unconverted. Against Samoa, continuity in support and second attempts matters more than simply reproducing 3–0. The win supplied points and repeatable ways of scoring.
Conclusion
An opening-half forward run and two consecutive second-half supporting finishes established China's first victory. The first qualification step is complete; against Samoa on October 22, the task is to sustain combinations and turn the opening advantage into a stronger group position.
