Taif, April 8, 2025 – U17 Vietnam delivered a stirring 1-1 draw against U17 Japan in their second AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 match on April 7, and coach Cristiano Roland is now channeling that spirit into preparations for their decisive Group B finale against U17 UAE. Trailing from the first half, Roland’s squad snatched a point with Tran Gia Bao’s stoppage-time equalizer, keeping their U17 World Cup hopes alive.
Post-match, Roland praised his team’s grit: “The players showed real confidence against a powerhouse like Japan. In the second half, we tweaked tactics and personnel, and it paid off. This point reflects what we brought to the pitch.” Tran Gia Bao’s cool penalty—after a foul in the box—canceled out Kaito Takahashi’s 12th-minute header, rewarding Vietnam’s late surge in Taif, Saudi Arabia.
The Brazilian tactician lauded his squad’s discipline: “We’ve talked enough about U17 Vietnam’s never-say-die attitude, so I’ll skip that. Technically, every player grasped our game plan. They executed our preparations with discipline and fought to the end. The early set-piece goal was unlucky, but we held firm and exploited Japan’s lapse to score.” With two points from draws against U17 Australia (1-1) and Japan, Vietnam sits second in Group B, behind Japan (four points).
Despite the heroics, qualification remains uncertain ahead of the April 10 clash with U17 UAE, who have one point. “I can’t predict the outcome, but we’ll give everything,” Roland said. “After two solid results against top teams, we’re in a good spot. Every game here feels like a final.” The 48-year-old stressed recovery and analysis: “We’ll focus on restoring the players’ energy and studying U17 UAE thoroughly to be at our best.”
A win against UAE—who lost 4-0 to Japan but drew 0-0 with Australia—could secure a top-two finish and a 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup spot in Japan. Roland’s pragmatic, defense-first approach has shone, echoing Vietnam’s 2016 quarterfinal run. The U17 Vietnam vs. U17 UAE match kicks off at 10:00 p.m. Vietnam time on April 10, with a nation watching as their youth chase history.
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