Shenzhen is bracing itself for a soccer spectacle as it gears up to host the AFC U20 Asian Cup, with the Chinese team's opening match against Qatar kicking off at the Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Stadium in Guangming District at 7:30 p.m. Feb 12.

The tournament, a pinnacle of competition for Asia's most promising U20 players, will bring together 16 of the continent's strongest soccer teams.

Shenzhen's selection as the host city is no coincidence, according to a Chinese Football Association official. The city's burgeoning sports industry, bolstered by progressive sports concepts and a proven track record in tournament organization, provides a robust foundation for hosting such grand events.

Among the four venues of the event, two are located in Guangming: Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base Stadium and Shenzhen Youth Football Training Base No. 1 Field. The other two are Shenzhen Bao'an Sports Center Stadium and Longhua Sports Center Stadium.

The Chinese team, grouped with Australia, Kyrgyzstan, and Qatar in Group A, faces a challenging path ahead.

The Qatar team, which has seen significant success in youth training, will be a tough nut to crack with a tactically mature squad.