“We have studied U17 Australia carefully and understand their strengths. They are a very formidable opponent,” the Brazilian coach said ahead of the match scheduled at 7:30pm on April 22.

“U17 Vietnam have prepared solutions to counter them and aim for the best possible performance. The players are in high spirits and ready for the challenge,” he added.

For Roland, this is the moment for his team to prove their progress. After a well-prepared build-up and steady improvement through each group-stage match, the players are now aiming for a positive result on a bigger stage.

“The players are improving game by game. The semifinal against Australia is a major challenge, and we have prepared everything so they can both enjoy the match and achieve a good outcome,” he said.

Midfielder Duy Khang echoed that confidence: “Australia are very strong, but with the preparation from our coaching staff, we are ready. We will give our best to deliver a good result for Vietnamese fans.”

On the other side, U17 Australia head coach Carl Veart also acknowledged the challenge ahead.

“We controlled matches well in the group stage, but this game will be different. The players must stay fully focused for 90 minutes and avoid mistakes. U17 Vietnam are the strongest opponent we have faced in this tournament. The semifinal will be highly competitive,” he noted.

U17 Vietnam have grown stronger through each match.

Despite being rated lower, U17 Vietnam still have reasons to believe. While Australia topped Group A with three wins, scoring 15 goals without conceding, their opponents - Brunei, Singapore, and Cambodia - were not considered strong.

In contrast, U17 Vietnam’s journey has been more demanding. Apart from Timor Leste, they faced stronger regional sides such as Malaysia and Indonesia, gaining valuable match experience.

This difference could prove decisive. While Australia’s dominant results reflect their strength, they may not have been fully tested in terms of tactical adaptability and resilience.

Meanwhile, U17 Vietnam have already faced unexpected scenarios. Their 0-0 draw against Indonesia, for instance, offered important lessons when the opponent opted for a defensive approach instead of attacking as anticipated.

Such experiences have helped Roland’s players adapt more quickly and become more composed in different situations.

Entering the semifinal, U17 Vietnam bring not only 14 goals and a clean defensive record, but also a sense of maturity built through real challenges.

Those moments of difficulty, rather than weakness, have made the team more resilient and unpredictable - qualities that could make all the difference against U17 Australia.

Dai Nam