Kuai Jiwen (center) of China shoots during the Group C match between China and Saudi Arabia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Chonburi, Thailand, June 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

CHON BURI, Thailand - China ended its AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign here on Thursday after a 3-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia.

China retained a slim hope of qualifying for the next round after a 1-1 draw against Tajikistan and narrowly missed an impressive comeback in the 5-3 defeat against Australia, while Saudi Arabia has secured its berth in the quarterfinals with two wins ahead of the clash against China.

China had its first look at goal when Kuai Jiwen's shot outside the penalty box rocked the crossbar. A bicycle kick by the Saudi side from inside the area in the 28th minute was also denied by the woodwork.

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Wang Yudong (center) of China shoots during the Group C match between China and Saudi Arabia at the AFC U17 Asian Cup in Chonburi, Thailand, June 22, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

Saudi Arabia slowly built its momentum and paid off before halftime with Almuwallad's powerful close-range header.

China made several substitutions early in the second half but was unable to find a goal. Saudi Arabia scored its second with a counterstrike in the 78th minute before sealing the final score 3-0 in the added time.

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China was eliminated from the group without a win, while Australia joined Saudi Arabia to qualify for the quarterfinals.