# AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers progress

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualification-preparations
> Updated: 2026-09-02T03:27:49.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 5.

The AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers are now underway. 

Japan’s U-19 national team has started its Group G campaign with strong performances. Following their roster adjustments, the team secured a 4-0 victory against Kuwait in their opening match. They followed this with a dominant 8-0 win over host nation Cambodia, featuring goals from Nick Schmidt, Homare Tokuda, Yuna Kidera, Fuga Tokumura, Asato Fujita, Ren Magie Jerany, and Riki Cho. With two wins and 12 goals scored without conceding, Japan sits at the top of the group. A win or draw in their final match against Yemen on September 6 will guarantee qualification as group leaders.

South Korea faces a difficult path in Group A. Due to the withdrawal of the Philippines, the squad will play only two matches, against Lebanon and Kyrgyzstan. The team continues to struggle with roster depth, missing seven key players, including Song Jeong-bom, due to club commitments. South Korea enters the qualifiers following a 0-1 loss in a recent test match against Uzbekistan.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-02: Japan U-19 dominates Cambodia 8-0 in AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers

Japan's U-19 national team secured a massive 8-0 win over Cambodia in the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, placing them one step away from qualification ahead of their final match against Yemen.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-u-19-dominates-cambodia-8-0-in-afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualifiers

### 2026-08-31: AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers begin for South Korea and Japan

East Asian youth teams South Korea and Japan begin their AFC U-20 Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaigns amidst varying squad conditions.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualifiers-begin-for-south-korea-and-japan

### 2026-08-27: Japan U-19 national team loses training match to Toyo University

Japan's U-19 national team lost 1-3 to Toyo University in a final training match ahead of the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers, revealing tactical and mental challenges for manager Satoshi Yamaguchi.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-u-19-national-team-loses-training-match-to-toyo-university

### 2026-08-26: South Korea and Japan prepare for AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers

South Korea and Japan prepare for the AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers in Cambodia, with South Korea facing roster shortages and Japan relying on overseas talent like Nick Schmidt.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-and-japan-prepare-for-afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualifiers

### 2026-08-24: Japan U-19 national team announces roster updates for AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers

The U-19 Japan national team has updated its roster for the AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers, adding Kento Hamasaki and Taizo Fujikawa following an injury to Haruto Nakano.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-u-19-national-team-announces-roster-updates-for-afc-u20-asian-cup-qualifiers

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Cite as: AFC U-20 Asian Cup qualifiers progress. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/afc-u-20-asian-cup-qualification-preparations