To dream of the World Cup, the VFF invites another 'general' from Japan.

Changes in the head coach position of the Vietnam U.17 team.

The Vietnam U17 team will participate in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship finals next April. The tournament, held in Saudi Arabia, is also considered a qualifying round for the 2025 U17 World Cup, with teams reaching the quarter-finals securing a place on the world stage.

Initially, the head coach position for the Vietnam U17 team was set for Coach Cristiano Roland. Roland had previously coached the Hanoi U17 team to win the national championship in 2024, and was then appointed to lead the Vietnam U17 team in the Peace Cup friendly tournament in China. Under the guidance of the Brazilian coach, the young Vietnamese players made a name for themselves by defeating both Uzbekistan U17 and Japan U17 to finish as runners-up.

Coach Cristiano Roland

Subsequently, Coach Roland led the Vietnam U.17 team to the 2025 AFC U.17 Championship finals, achieving one win and two draws in the qualifying round. The coaching position for the Vietnam U.17 team in the finals was already secured for Coach Roland from that point onwards.

However, the decision by the club's management to appoint Roland as the technical director of Da Nang FC changed everything. This meant Roland could not coach in the U.17 Asian Championship finals, and the VFF contacted another candidate. Sources from Thanh Nien newspaper revealed that this candidate is a Japanese coach who has previously led Japanese youth teams and has extensive experience in youth development.

After the coaching staff submitted a proposal to appoint a Japanese coach to the National Coaching Council, the VFF initially contacted the strategist. However, another turning point occurred: Technical Director Roland left the Da Nang team to return to the Hanoi U.17 team. At this point, Roland could once again take charge of the team in the U.17 Asian Championship finals.

With limited time remaining to prepare for the 2025 U.17 Asian Championship, Coach Roland is a more suitable and safer choice. He has experience with the players and possesses a compatible philosophy. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has sent a letter to the Hanoi FC management to summon Coach Roland to the Vietnam U.17 team. Once the Hanoi FC team gives the green light, Coach Roland and his assistant will return to work.

Roland almost missed the Asian U.17 Championship finals.

However, the Japanese candidate is still expected to sign a contract with the VFF to join the coaching staff of the Vietnam U.17 team. The Japanese expert will act as an "assistant" to advise Roland. Thus, the Vietnam U.17 coaching staff will still consist of the best quality personnel to serve the dream of the World Cup.

Ambition

The Vietnam U17 team is in the same group as Japan U17 (the defending champions), Australia U17, and UAE U17 in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship finals. To qualify for the World Cup, the Vietnamese youth team must advance from the group stage, meaning they finish first or second.

The Vietnam U.17 team has twice advanced beyond the group stage of the Asian Championship (2004, 2016). Their most recent appearance in 2023 saw them fail to spring any surprises, being drawn into a tough group with Japan U.17, Uzbekistan U.17, and India U.17.

Speaking to Thanh Nien Newspaper, Coach Roland emphasized: "The tournament will bring together the strongest U.17 teams in the continent. The challenge for Vietnam's U.17 team is very difficult, but that doesn't mean the World Cup goal is impossible or out of reach."

We will prepare to the best of our ability, striving for perfection in every aspect, from selecting and assembling the squad, training, strengthening the playing style, refining attacking and defensive tactics, and improving the players' mentality and physical fitness. The Vietnam U17 team has to go through a rigorous preparation period to aim for the U17 Asian Championship. However, the players already understand the objective. That's the core issue."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-roland-tro-lai-u17-viet-nam-de-mo-world-cup-vff-moi-them-tuong-nhat-ban-185250209195249481.htm