Australian U17 star: 'We are confident we can defeat Vietnam to reach the final'

Australian U17 midfielder Marcus Jovan expressed confidence ahead of the semifinal match against Vietnam U17 in the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship.

On the eve of the semifinal match against Vietnam U17, the Australian U17 players are demonstrating high confidence and determination. Young midfielder Marcus Jovan stated that the entire team is in a very positive mental state following a successful group stage.

The player emphasized that the Australian U17 team has maintained focus and high professional standards throughout the tournament. “The team spirit is excellent. If we maintain this, we believe we can defeat Vietnam U17, advance to the final, and achieve the desired outcome,” Marcus Jovan shared before the crucial match.

Nevertheless, the Australian U17 coaching staff clearly recognizes areas needing improvement. Coach Carl Veart admitted that his team has not been truly sharp in finishing, despite scoring many goals since the start of the tournament.

“We control the ball well, create many opportunities, but finishing ability inside the box needs improvement. Too many clear chances have been missed, and that is a major weakness,” he said.

Additionally, the Australian strategist also particularly noted the fitness factor as they enter the knockout stage. According to him, the dense match schedule is significantly affecting the physical foundation of the young players.

“The first goal was to reach the semifinals, and we have achieved that. But the important thing now is recovery and further improvement if we want to compete for the championship. This tournament is a crucial stepping stone, helping young Australian players accumulate experience and prove themselves on the international stage,” Coach Carl Veart emphasized.

The semifinal between Vietnam U17 and Australia U17 will take place at 19:30 on April 22 at Gelora Delta Stadium (Indonesia).