Cristiano Roland’s side also advanced to the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 as Group C winners after an unforgettable night in Jeddah.

The match could hardly have started worse for Vietnam.

Just 16 seconds after kick-off, UAE struck first through Sultan Nasir Al Mheiri following a chaotic scramble inside the penalty area, leaving goalkeeper Ly Xuan Hoa with no chance.

The early setback tested the mentality of a young Vietnamese side playing under immense pressure, knowing only victory would guarantee qualification.

Instead of collapsing, Vietnam responded with composure and courage.

Roland’s players quickly regained control of possession, pushed UAE deep into their own half and repeatedly threatened with quick passing combinations and aggressive pressing.

Nguyen Luc almost equalised in the eighth minute after a dangerous cross from Hoang Viet, but his close-range effort flew over the bar.

Vietnam continued to dominate territorially and finally found their breakthrough in the 41st minute.

After winning a free-kick on the edge of the box, Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc curled a superb strike through the UAE wall to level the score at 1-1 and ignite celebrations among Vietnamese supporters.

The momentum carried into the second half.

Just three minutes after the restart, Nguyen Luc threaded a precise pass into Dai Nhan, whose cut-back was cleverly left by Van Duong for Minh Thuy to arrive and finish emphatically, completing Vietnam’s comeback.

UAE refused to surrender and restored parity in the 56th minute when substitute Adam Mahfous unleashed a brilliant curling shot from outside the area beyond the reach of Xuan Hoa.

Yet Vietnam’s belief never faded.

In the 69th minute, centre-back Manh Cuong rose highest from a corner and powered a header into the net to make it 3-2, sparking emotional scenes on the touchline and in the stands.

The final minutes were tense as UAE launched wave after wave of attacks.

Goalkeeper Xuan Hoa produced a crucial late save, punching away a fierce long-range effort deep into stoppage time to preserve Vietnam’s historic lead.

When the final whistle sounded, Vietnam’s players collapsed to the ground in celebration after completing one of the greatest nights in the country’s youth football history.

At the same time, South Korea and Yemen played out a goalless draw in the other Group C fixture, confirming Vietnam’s place at the top of the standings.

The result means Vietnam will face Australia in the quarter-finals on May 17 in a rematch of the ASEAN U17 Championship semi-final earlier this year, where Roland’s team also came from behind to win.

The victory marked another major milestone in a remarkable two-year journey under the Brazilian coach.

Since taking charge, Roland has built one of Vietnam’s most promising youth generations, with the team winning 12 of 19 official matches, drawing six and losing only once while scoring 61 goals and conceding just nine.

Vietnam were particularly dominant during qualification for the AFC U17 Asian Cup, winning all five matches without conceding a single goal.

Their triumph over UAE was widely celebrated across Asia.

The AFC Asian Cup social media channels hailed Vietnam’s achievement with the message: “History calls Vietnam.”

FIFA World Cup’s official page also posted a short but powerful tribute after the match: “Into the great ocean.”

Indonesian outlet Kompas described Vietnam as “the flagbearer of Southeast Asian football” after becoming the region’s only representative to qualify for the U17 World Cup.

Vietnam Football Federation president Tran Quoc Tuan immediately congratulated the squad after the final whistle and announced a VND1 billion bonus for the team, equal to around USD38,500.

Speaking after the match, Roland praised the resilience and unity shown by his players.

“I am truly proud of them. After the defeat against South Korea, there were concerns about the players mentally. Then we conceded very early against UAE, which was another huge challenge. But the players showed they were ready in every aspect. We always emphasise that individuals can only shine within a united collective. The bond between the players helped them overcome every obstacle and fight until the final minute,” the coach said. 

Vietnam’s qualification also represents a historic breakthrough for the country’s youth football development.

Before this achievement, only Vietnam’s U20 generation featuring stars such as Quang Hai and Xuan Truong had previously reached a FIFA youth tournament.

Now, a new generation has written its own chapter in history.

For Vietnam’s young players, the dream no longer belongs only to the future.

It has already become reality.

Thien Binh - Dai Nam