Vietnam U17 returns home, sets major goal for Asian championship

The Vietnam U17 national team arrived back home tonight (April 26) amid an enthusiastic welcome from fans after brilliantly winning the 2026 Southeast Asia U17 Championship.

Immediately upon returning, the team moved to the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center to continue preparations. The remaining time to prepare for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup finals is limited, requiring the entire squad to maintain focus and their best condition for the continental tournament.

Speaking at Noi Bai Airport, General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu congratulated the entire team and praised their competitive spirit, effort, and discipline throughout the tournament.

"VFF always sets objectives for youth teams when participating in regional, continental, and FIFA qualifying tournaments. Winning the Southeast Asia title is a positive sign, but the ultimate goal remains larger competitions.

A World Cup ticket is the aim of a long-term process. The players are very young; the joy of victory is understandable, but ahead lie much greater challenges," emphasized VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu.

Coach Cristiano Roland thanked VFF for their support and facilitation throughout the preparation and competition period. The Brazilian tactician affirmed that the championship is a motivational source for the team to continue striving, and stressed that Vietnam U17 will quickly shift focus to the important upcoming target: the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals.

Vietnam U17 currently maintains impressive form with a 16-match unbeaten streak, including 12 wins and 4 draws. Coach Cristiano Roland's players have scored 59 goals while conceding only 4, demonstrating a balance between attacking power and defensive organization—key factors when stepping onto the continental stage.

According to the schedule, the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup finals will take place in Saudi Arabia from May 5 to May 23, featuring 16 teams that excelled in qualifying and are divided into 4 groups. The 8 quarter-final qualifiers, along with host Saudi Arabia, will compete in the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026. In the group stage, Vietnam U17 is in Group C alongside strong opponents: South Korea U17, UAE U17, and Yemen U17. This is considered a challenging group, requiring Coach Cristiano Roland and his squad to prepare thoroughly and maintain high concentration.

According to the match schedule, Vietnam U17 will face Yemen U17 (May 7), South Korea U17 (May 10), and UAE U17 (May 14). Each match carries significant importance in the race to advance, while also aiming for the longer-term goal of competing for a U17 World Cup spot.

Coach Cristiano Roland and his team will depart for Saudi Arabia early on May 1. The Southeast Asia championship is a notable milestone, but also a stepping stone for Vietnam U17 to aim for greater challenges on the continental stage.