Taif, April 11, 2025 – Vietnam U17 coach Cristiano Roland insists his team merited a knockout berth but views their last-gasp 1-1 draw against UAE U17 on April 10 as a crucial lesson in their development. In their final Group B match at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025, Vietnam led until the 87th minute, when a seemingly lost throw-in from the right was kept alive by Jayden Adetiba. His cross caught Vietnam off-guard, and Hazaa Faisal headed in from close range to equalize.
This marked Vietnam U17’s third consecutive 1-1 draw—following Australia and Japan—leaving them last in Group B with three points, one behind UAE, Australia, and Japan (all with four). Only the top two advanced to the quarterfinals and the 2025 FIFA U17 World Cup. “Football is full of surprises, and we conceded in an unexpected way late on,” Roland said post-match. “We deserved a happier ending, but this experience is invaluable for these young players. Failure is a key part of their growth.”
Many of Roland’s squad collapsed in tears after the whistle. He consoled them, highlighting their effort against Asia’s elite. “I told them to hold their heads high,” he said. “These results show their hard work. They’ve got a long road ahead and must keep training for better days.” The 48-year-old Brazilian added: “I want them aiming to become big players. After this, they need to hunger for more in their careers—they’re Vietnam’s football future.”
Since taking charge at the U16 Peace Cup in China in August 2024, Roland has overseen 18 matches, with a 50% win rate (nine victories), six draws, and three losses. Excluding a 4-0 debut defeat to China, his team went unbeaten in friendlies, scoring 24 goals and conceding five. At the U17 Asian Cup, their disciplined, defensive-first approach—capitalizing on opponents’ errors—earned plaudits despite the outcome.
From 2025 to 2029, the AFC U17 Asian Cup and FIFA U17 World Cup will shift to annual events, offering Vietnam’s youth more international exposure. Roland sees this as a chance to build on this campaign, where players like Tran Gia Bao and Hoang Trong Duy Khang shone. “They’ve grown with each game,” he noted, eyeing a stronger return in 2026.
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