Taif, April 11, 2025 – In a dramatic final group match at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup, Vietnam U17 suffered a heartbreaking 1–1 draw with the United Arab Emirates, a result that ultimately left the team at the bottom of Group B and out of contention for the U17 World Cup in Qatar.
Vietnam initially appeared to be in control when an early error from the opposition’s goalkeeper allowed them to take the lead. The breakthrough came after a well-executed play from the right flank, where Viet Long dribbled past a UAE defender and delivered a precise pass into the center of the penalty area. Duy Khang then lifted the ball for Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc to finish, catching the UAE goalkeeper Nasser off guard.
However, the celebration was short-lived. Just three minutes later, Vietnam extended their lead from another set-piece opportunity when Pham Duc Duy sent a cross into the penalty area. Duy Khang rose to head the ball down, only for the UAE side to mount a strong counterattack. With their aggressive approach, the UAE began to claw back into the game. Despite their early defensive resilience—with Le Huy Viet Anh and the rest of the Vietnamese defense stifling multiple attacking moves—the visitors eventually found a way back into the match.
In the second half, Vietnam continued to adhere to their measured, controlled style of play rather than launching an all-out offensive. After 20 minutes of relatively quiet play, the tempo shifted decisively when Vietnam renewed their attacking impetus. From the right wing, Viet Long once again played a key role by dribbling past a UAE defender. He then delivered a well-weighted pass into the center, leading to a decisive scoring chance. Duy Khang attempted to lift the ball forward, but the UAE goalkeeper Nasser misjudged his position, and the opportunity was squandered as the ball fell harmlessly to the opposition.
Three minutes later, however, Vietnam found redemption when Pham Duc Duy executed a cross from the right into a critical area approximately 5.5 meters inside the penalty box. Duy Khang managed to secure the ball on the volley, but due to a slight mispositioning by Nasser, Vietnam was awarded a goal that briefly extended their lead.
At this point, the UAE started to push forward more urgently. With tactical substitutions—such as replacing Obaid Omra with the speedy and skillful Jayden Adetiba, known from the U17 Arsenal setup—UAE began applying increased pressure on the Vietnamese defense. Under mounting pressure, Coach Cristiano Roland was forced to adjust his lineup by withdrawing Duy Khang and bringing on center-back Le Quang Truong.
In the ensuing minutes, UAE’s persistence paid off. In a crucial moment at King Fahd Stadium, after making strategic substitutions including Hazaa Faisal to replace a tired Al Noubi, the UAE team orchestrated a set-piece near the edge of the box. The ball was initially thought to be out of play, but Adetiba’s quick reaction allowed him to set up Faisal, who capitalized on a defensive lapse by slotting the ball into an unguarded net, bringing the score to 1–1 in the 87th minute.
As the final minutes ticked away, Vietnam continued searching for a winning goal to secure their long-awaited spot in the U17 World Cup, but they were unable to break down a rejuvenated UAE defense. The match ended in a 1–1 draw, sealing Vietnam U17’s fate as the last-placed team in Group B.
Group B stood in a deadlock at 4 points each for UAE, Japan, and Australia, while Vietnam finished with 2 points. In the head-to-head comparisons among the top three teams, Japan topped the mini-league with a goal difference of +1, while both UAE and Australia posted a goal difference of –1 with 3 goals scored each. Further application of tie-breakers—specifically the pairwise criteria—favored UAE, thanks in part to their 2–0 win over Australia, allowing them to advance to the quarterfinals.
According to the tournament schedule, Japan will face the runner-up of Group A, the home team Arab Saudi, in the quarterfinals, while UAE will take on Uzbekistan, the winner of Group A. The outcome leaves a bitter taste for a young Vietnam squad that had not tasted defeat in its previous three matches against some of Asia’s top football nations. Coach Cristiano Roland and many players, some of whom are still under 17, were visibly distraught on the pitch as they lamented missing their chance to qualify for the U17 World Cup.
With the final group standings determined and the pressure mounting, Vietnam U17 now faces a challenging period of regrouping and preparation for future international competitions. The experience, albeit harsh, will undoubtedly serve as a crucial learning curve for this promising young team as they look forward to an opportunity to bounce back on the international stage.
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