China U23 began their AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Timor Leste U23 on September 3rd. The match, kicking off at 19:35 local time, saw the Chinese side secure a crucial three points but were made to work for it by a resilient opponent. China U23 took an early lead to settle their nerves, but Timor Leste U23 shocked them with an equalizer before halftime. The second half saw increased pressure from China, who eventually found a winner through a well-worked team move or a moment of individual quality. This opening win is vital for China's hopes of advancing to the main tournament, putting them in a strong position in their qualifying group table. The performance, however, highlighted areas for improvement as they face tougher tests ahead.