U17 Vietnam Begins Training for AFC U17 Asian Cup, Coach Stresses Urgency

The U17 Vietnam national team has commenced its training in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in preparation for the upcoming 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup. Head coach Cristiano Roland is focused on ensuring his players adapt quickly to the high intensity of international competition, a crucial step after their journey from Southeast Asia.

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The most important thing right now is to help the players adapt as quickly as possible after the travel. The first training session is about getting familiar with the field, ball feel, and game speed.

Coach Roland highlighted the importance of tactical flexibility and sharp finishing as key areas for improvement. He recalled the lessons from last year's tournament, where draws prevented progression despite good attacking efforts. This year, the team is drilled on maximizing every opportunity and maintaining a balance between offense and defense. The current squad shows promise in attack, but the coach stresses that solid defense is equally vital for success.

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In last year's tournament, U17 Vietnam, despite trying hard, could not advance after 3 draws. That is a big lesson that I always remind the players: do not waste any opportunity on the field and must strive to the maximum to aim for victory.

From our perspective at Tuổi Trẻ, this tournament represents a significant step up for our young talents. The AFC U17 Asian Cup is a far more competitive arena than regional tournaments, and the experience gained here is invaluable for their development. While Western media might focus on the top contenders, for Vietnam, the primary goal is to see these young players grow, gain international exposure, and build a foundation for future success. Our hope is that they not only compete but also learn and bring pride to the nation by advancing beyond the group stage, a feat that would be celebrated widely back home.

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The current crop of players has good attacking ability, as shown by the number of goals scored recently. However, the balance between attack and defense remains a key factor. We aim to get past the group stage.