Antonio started the tournament firmly with a core lineup that included Yu Jinyong, Hu Huotao, Liu Haofan (No. 5), Zhang Yixuan, Bao Shimeng, Wei Zhiwei, Chen Zhexuan, Mutalifu, Buyurang, Liu Xiaolong, and Efirdin. With the drums of war beating, Uzbekistan really posed a challenge for the U21s, making frequent attacks on the defense. Fortunately, the results of Antonio's carefully laid out defensive tactics and training showed, and the team did not suffer a fatal blow. What is more worth mentioning is that the team nearly broke the deadlock a few times with the counter-attacking tactics.
At the change of ends, the U21s substituted Ainifa for Liu Xiaolong in an attempt to find a breakthrough by stepping up the forward pressure and launching an onslaught on the Uzbekistan defense, a move that did pay off. At around the 60-minute mark, Antonio brought on Zhou Jianyi, He Xiaoke, and Abu for Wei Zhiwei, Efirdin, and Uran, a change that allowed the U21s to control the pace of the game for a long period of time. Near the end, a long-distance shot from Ainifa almost created another miracle, sending the ball towards the crossbar. In the end, the U21 national soccer team drew 0-0 with Uzbekistan U21 and finished the match with 2 wins and 1 draw.
