Representatives from Chinese and Australian U20 teams pose for a group photo. [Photo/Hangzhou Daily]

Zhejiang will welcome another international football event as the Australia U20 men's national team faces China's U20 side in two friendlies on March 28 and 31 at the Meihu Sports Center in Yiwu, following the province's hosting of World Cup qualifiers last year.

The matches will serve as important preparation for the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup finals, which will be held in Hangzhou, the provincial capital.

Football Australia said the China tour will give its young players valuable international exposure and form an important step in the team's buildup to the continental tournament.

As defending U20 Asian Cup champions, Australia remains a strong contender at this level, making the friendlies a crucial test for the China U20 team coached by Dejan Djurdjevic.

Supported by the Australian government through the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations, the series is part of broader bilateral sports exchange initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation in sports, culture and people-to-people ties.

Australian officials described March as an unprecedented "football diplomacy month", highlighting the sport's role in fostering closer relations between the two countries.

Coach Dejan Djurdjevic and China's U20 men's national team gather on the turf. [Photo/WeChat account: ZL Football]