The objective

The absence of North Korea from the finals has made the competition more intense, but it does not mean the door to the World Cup is closed for Vietnam U17. On the contrary, both experts and fans still place high expectations on the team’s ability to achieve its goal.

That confidence is not based on sentiment, but on results and a well-structured preparation process over the past two years. Vietnam U17 have maintained an impressive unbeaten run, reflecting both tactical stability and growing maturity. In addition, a series of high-quality international matches has provided the squad with valuable competitive experience.

As a result, although sharing a group with South Korea, Yemen and the UAE is certainly challenging, it is not beyond reach for coach Roland’s side. In fact, it is considered more manageable compared to the 2025 AFC U17 finals.

But they must be “cooler”

From a technical perspective, Vietnam U17 offer a reassuring picture. Their organized style of play, strong ball control and positive fighting spirit are clear strengths. However, turning potential into concrete results requires improvement in one crucial aspect: mentality.

The players need to remain “cool” in decisive moments.

This concern is not unfounded. In the final of the Southeast Asian U17 Championship against Malaysia, there were moments when the young players lost composure against aggressive, even overly physical play from their opponents. Frequent collisions disrupted the rhythm of the match and triggered unnecessary emotional reactions.

The situation involving Nguyen Luc serves as a typical example. His reaction after a clash with a Malaysian player could have put the team at a psychological disadvantage and risked disciplinary sanctions, directly affecting the match outcome. At youth level, such moments are common, but if not controlled, they can become breaking points in an entire campaign.

Therefore, alongside tactical and physical preparation, emotional control must be prioritized. Calmness in each decision, the ability to ignore external pressures and maintain full focus on the game will be decisive.

If they can maintain that necessary composure, Vietnam U17 can realistically aim for victories and open the door to the U17 World Cup, set to take place in Qatar later this year.

Duy Nguyen