At Gelora Delta Stadium in Indonesia on the evening of April 22, U17 Vietnam delivered a major surprise by defeating defending champions U17 Australia 2-1, securing a place in the final against U17 Malaysia.

For many, the comeback win was seen as a shock result. In reality, however, Roland’s team played on equal footing and earned the victory through quality rather than luck.

Despite conceding first, the young Vietnamese players remained composed, showing resilience and tactical awareness. They exploited their opponent’s weaknesses effectively and, above all, executed their game plan with precision, capitalizing on key opportunities to secure a deserved win.

For such a young team, U17 Vietnam’s performance stood out for its maturity and structure. Their place in the final is the result of thorough preparation, not only for this tournament but over the past two years.

Ahead of the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship, coach Cristiano Roland had already emphasized that the team’s ultimate goal lies beyond the regional competition, with a clear focus on the AFC U17 finals scheduled for May. It is at that tournament that the players aim to secure a historic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

The dream is no longer distant. Their strong showing in Southeast Asia serves as a valuable stepping stone, helping the team build momentum and sharpen their competitive edge for the tougher battles at continental level. For now, however, Sy Bach and his teammates must remain fully focused on the final against Malaysia on April 24.

Over the past two years, U17 Vietnam under Roland have achieved an impressive record: 15 matches unbeaten, including nine wins and six draws, scoring 52 goals and conceding just five.

Such consistency is unprecedented among Vietnam’s youth teams, even compared to the U22 and U23 squads under Park Hang Seo or Kim Sang Sik. These results reflect not only the team’s quality but also a clear direction and serious investment from the Vietnam Football Federation, clubs, and local training systems.

At the 2025 AFC U17 finals, although U17 Vietnam did not advance to the quarter-finals, they managed to hold strong opponents Australia, the UAE, and Japan to draws. Those performances have since become a foundation of belief for the current squad.

This year, U17 Vietnam are grouped with South Korea, the UAE, and Yemen at the continental finals. While the competition will be fierce, youth football often brings unpredictability, and the Vietnamese side now appear more mature than they were a year ago.

Importantly, FIFA’s decision to expand the 2026 U17 World Cup to 48 teams has opened up new opportunities. Reaching the quarter-finals at the Asian tournament would be enough for U17 Vietnam to realize their long-held dream.

Having established themselves as a leading force in Southeast Asia, the journey from regional success to the World Cup will still be filled with challenges.

Cristiano Roland understands this better than anyone. The Brazilian coach continues to encourage his players to dream boldly and embrace each match, knowing that, with the right preparation and belief, a place at the World Cup could become reality.

Dai Nam