The Chinese Football Association (CFA) said in a statement posted on its website that the change is to ensure the China PR U-23 squad are well prepared for the AFC U23 Championship Thailand 2020, which also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Spaniard replaces his compatriot Albert Fernandez, and will also remain at the helm of the senior national team, a position he has held since July 2017.

The Central Asians topped Group F with a convincing 3-0 victory against India and drawing 0-0 with Tajikistan while the runners-up in the 2018 final Vietnam topped Group K, ahead of Thailand, who had already qualified as host of the competition.

And the 2016 champions Japan were undefeated in Group I where they recorded stunning victories over Macau (8-0), Timor Leste (6-0) and host Myanmar (7-0).

There is extra significance for the AFC U-23 Championships, which will take place from January 8 to 26, 2020, as the top three teams qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in July, although should Japan emerge as one of them, the fourth-placed side will advance.

Matchday One
(all times in local hours)

Group A

Qatar 2-2 Oman
REPORT

Nepal 0-2 Afghanistan
REPORT

Malaysia 2-2 China PR

China PR and Malaysia went into the match having won their earlier matches but it was the hosts, with 25,000 fans backing them, who held the upperhand in the opening minutes.

Hadi Fayyadh led the charge for Malaysia as he caused problems for China PR. The Fagiano Okayama forward made promising runs against the East Asians who were, however, quick to deal with the threat.

After two consecutive wins, Malaysia and China will face off on Tuesday to decide the group winners, with the East Asians ahead on goal difference.

The striker was on hand to convert a Dostonbek Khamdamov corner with his first touch of the game, after a 1-1 draw had forced the game into an additional 30 minutes.

While Uzbekistan’s victory saw them add to the AFC U-16 Championship title they won in 2012, it also brought the curtain down on a remarkable Vietnam campaign, one which will live long in the memory of the Southeast Asian nation’s supporters.

In decidedly wintry conditions at the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center, it was Uzbekistan who controlled the early proceedings, and they duly took the lead on eight minutes when a poorly marked Rustamjon Ashurmatov headed home Khamdamov’s outswinging corner.

Uzbekistan continued to press after the breakthrough, as both a Javokhir Sidikov header and Khamdamov’s effort from 20 yards forced Vietnam goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung into smart saves.

Despite struggling to fully impose themselves on the game, Vietnam briefly threatened to restore parity shortly after the half hour mark when Pham Xuan Manh’s excellent cross narrowly eluded the onrushing Phan Vanh Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai.

However, after seeing Azizjon Ganiev fire narrowly over, Vietnam drew level on the stroke of half-time. Nguyen Cong Phuong was brought down on the edge of the area, and from the resulting free-kick Quang Hai superbly curled the ball past the despairing dive of Botirali Ergashev to register his fifth goal of the tournament.