Hanoi, 24 May, 2025 – The Vietnam U16 national team is ready to compete in the U16 International Tournament in China, where Coach Roland’s team will face tough opponents, including U16 Australia, U16 Saudi Arabia, and the host team, U16 China.
The Vietnam U16 team is currently in the final stages of preparation, fine-tuning their plans before traveling to China to participate in the CFA Team China U16 International Football Tournament 2025.
Recently, to assess the team’s strength and test their playing style, the Vietnam U16 team has played two practice matches against U17 Hanoi and Bac Ninh at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center. This has provided an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate the tactical performance and individual abilities of each player, helping to build the optimal lineup for the upcoming international tournament.
Coach Cristiano Roland expressed his satisfaction with the progress his players have made over the past two weeks of training, stating: “The past two weeks have been very important as the players had to adjust to the national team environment. I am pleased with the quick adaptability of many of the players, as well as the effort put in by the whole team. The spirit and attitude in training and matches are aspects I particularly appreciate because the players always show determination to overcome difficulties and proactively find solutions when facing challenges on the field.”
On the physical fitness of the players, the Brazilian coach commented: “Compared to previous generations, these players have better physical foundations, meeting the training requirements and maintaining fitness in difficult situations. However, this is a long process, and they need to continue accumulating experience to further develop.”
Discussing the significance of the upcoming tournament, Coach Cristiano Roland emphasized: “The U16 international tournament is an important test for the current group of players and a preparatory step for the 2026 AFC U17 Qualifiers. This tournament brings together three strong opponents, providing the players with an opportunity to understand the competitive level in Asia and gain valuable experience.”
According to the plan, before departing for China, the coaching staff will finalize the U16 team roster to include 23-24 players. Coach Cristiano Roland acknowledged that selecting the team was not easy, as all players demonstrated a serious attitude and commitment in training.
However, he also confirmed that this is just the beginning of a long journey toward the 2026 AFC U17 Qualifiers, and players who are not selected this time still have many opportunities ahead.
The Vietnam U16 team is expected to have one final practice match before officially departing for China on the morning of May 25. The CFA Team China U16 International Football Tournament 2025 will take place from May 28 to June 1, 2025, with the participation of four teams: Vietnam U16, Australia U16, Saudi Arabia U16, and the host China U16.
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