U.17 Vietnam: A proud journey and an extremely valuable lesson

The goal conceded in the last minutes caused U.17 Vietnam to stop at the group stage of U.17 Asia 2025, which is very regrettable when coach Cristiano Roland and his team were very close to a World Cup ticket.

K GOOD START

U.17 Vietnam entered the match against U.17 UAE last night, April 10, with a single goal: to win to secure a ticket to the World Cup. Although the West Asian opponent was not stronger than the teams that coach Cristiano Roland and his team had faced, the challenge in the final match of Group B was still difficult to overcome. Because U.17 Vietnam could no longer play a purely defensive counter-attacking style, but had to push forward to dominate the game and score goals.

U.17 Vietnam (right) tied U.17 UAE 1-1 last night

Photo: VFF

Reality has proven that with the coaching talent of Mr. Roland and the good adaptability of the players, U.17 Vietnam... "dances to any music". Hoang Trong Duy Khang and his teammates pressed the opponent's field, attacking extremely quickly with beautiful sideline and one-touch passes.

Duy Khang's goal in the 23rd minute came from a standard attacking arrangement. The ball was passed from the sideline, allowing striker number 7 to rush in, occupy the space, and successfully finish. U.17 Vietnam did not wait for the opponent to make a mistake, but Mr. Roland's students were ready to control the game (71% possession in the first half of the first half), actively coordinating attacks to open up space.

The way U.17 Vietnam plays reflects the philosophy that coach Roland wants to convey, when he once emphasized to Thanh Nien: "The coaching staff always prepares the best response skills for the players, so that they can cope with many types of play, from proactive attack to defensive counterattack. The players are trained to control the situation on the field."

The opening goal helped U.17 Vietnam return to their familiar defensive style of play. From this point on, the mettle of Mr. Roland's students was tested. Facing a squad of fast, skillful players who preferred to use individual techniques to play 1-1 like U.17 UAE, the defense with leader Le Huy Viet Anh played with all their might. Just like the previous 2 matches, the key to U.17 Vietnam's defense did not lie in individual qualities, but depended on team organization.

Tight, reasonable distance with good cover lines helped U.17 VN stand firm. It was not until the end of the first half that U.17 UAE had a chance, but it was only a shot… into the sky, when the gap was narrowed to the maximum by the resilient defenders of U.17 VN.

Valuable LESSON

When U.17 Vietnam took the lead, it was not difficult to imagine what U.17 UAE would face in the second half: a layered wall of red-shirted defense was erected to shield Hoa Xuan Tin's goal.

When U.17 VN retreated, U.17 UAE held the ball more. However, the long ball attacks towards Mayed Adel Khamis' position did not trouble the red shirt defenders. The marking from behind by U.17 VN did not allow the opponent to turn around and escape, but could only pass the ball back.

However, U.17 VN could not hold on until the final whistle. From leading the table, U.17 VN dropped to the bottom due to a moment of loss of concentration. The goal conceded in the 87th minute from a high ball situation was regrettable, but it was the harshness of football that coach Roland once admitted that the players had to experience to be able to understand. After 3 matches, U.17 VN had 3 points with 3 draws. Each match is a lesson, which will help the players become more courageous. "Steel" must be tempered in fire to be tough and resilient.

Including the match against U.17 UAE, U.17 Vietnam has gone through a 10-match unbeaten journey. Despite facing very strong teams such as Japan, Australia, Oman or Uzbekistan, Viet Anh and his teammates were still not defeated. That is the fulcrum for the players to strive to grow even more in the future. The 2025 U.17 Asia journey has ended unfinished, but believe that when tomorrow comes, another door will open for Coach Roland and his students.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/u17-viet-nam-hanh-trinh-dang-tu-hao-va-ca-bai-hoc-cuc-ky-dat-gia-185250411005615963.htm