Hanoi, April 17, 2025 – After guiding Vietnam U17 through a memorable campaign at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup, Brazilian coach Cristiano Roland has resumed his role as head coach of Hanoi FC U17, aiming to chase another domestic title. Though Vietnam U17 didn’t advance past the group stage, their three 1-1 draws against Asia’s heavyweights—Australia, Japan, and UAE—earned widespread praise for their maturity.
Upon returning to Hanoi, Roland rallied his young charges, emphasizing their potential. “This is just the beginning,” he told them, per the Vietnam Football Federation. “You’ve shown you can compete with the best. Keep working, and many of you could wear the senior Vietnam national team jersey one day.” Players like Tran Gia Bao, who scored a crucial penalty against Japan, reflect the promise of a squad nurtured alongside talents from The Cong Viettel and Hoang Anh Gia Lai academies.
Roland announced his return to Hanoi FC U17 via social media, writing: “Back home with Hanoi FC. Success comes from intense training, teamwork, dedication, and pushing personal limits. Let’s build the future together and overcome every challenge.” His focus now shifts to defending the U17 National Championship title won in 2024, where Hanoi FC U17 dominated under his high-pressing, disciplined system.
Before his U17 Vietnam stint, Roland made his mark at Hanoi FC U17, leading them to the 2024 national crown with a 3-1 final win over Song Lam Nghe An. He also briefly coached Da Nang FC in the 2024/2025 V.League, a short-lived spell that ended after six matches due to tactical mismatches, though he earned respect for integrating youth like Hanoi Police FC’s prospects. His U17 Asian Cup tenure, yielding draws against teams ranked 10 spots higher on average, showcased his ability to maximize potential, a skill he now brings back to Hanoi.
Roland’s return aligns with Hanoi FC’s youth development push, mirroring Vietnam’s broader vision for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup and SEA Games 33. With the next U17 National Championship looming in June, Roland aims to groom stars for Hanoi FC’s senior side, leveraging his experience to maintain their edge over rivals like Ho Chi Minh City FC and PVF-CAND.
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