South Korea, 22 September, 2025 – U18 Vietnam delivered a much-improved and spirited performance despite falling 0-1 to U18 Kanto University (Japan) in their second group-stage match of the Seoul EOU Cup 2025 in South Korea.
After suffering a heavy 1-5 defeat to U18 K League All Stars in their opening fixture, head coach Yutaka Ikeuchi made several changes to his lineup, giving opportunities to players who had not featured in the first match. The adjustments paid off as the Vietnamese youngsters looked sharper, more organized, and ready to compete on equal footing with their Japanese opponents.
From the early stages, U18 Vietnam played with confidence, pressing high and creating promising opportunities. Their forward line, however, lacked the composure in front of goal to convert chances into a breakthrough. The missed opportunities proved costly, as Kanto University found the opener right before halftime. In stoppage time of the first half, midfielder Itta Fukumoto struck a powerful shot from distance, beating goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin to give the Japanese side a 1-0 lead.
The physical strength and stamina of Kanto University gave them the edge after the restart, but Vietnam’s defense stood firm. Goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin emerged as the standout performer, pulling off a series of superb saves to deny the Japanese attackers. His quick reflexes kept Vietnam in the game and frustrated the opponent’s efforts to extend the lead.
In the closing minutes, coach Ikeuchi instructed his players to push forward in search of an equalizer. The substitutions injected fresh energy into Vietnam’s attack, with waves of pressure causing disorganization in the Japanese backline. Despite their brave efforts and several dangerous situations created, the equalizer never arrived, leaving Vietnam with a narrow 0-1 defeat.
Although the scoreboard did not favor them, the Vietnamese players earned praise for their resilience and fighting spirit. Compared to their opening match, the improvement in performance and mentality was clear, giving fans reasons for optimism as the young team continues their international development.
Speaking after the match, coaching staff emphasized that the focus remains on learning and building confidence through international exposure. The narrow loss to Kanto University showed that Vietnam can challenge strong teams when playing with discipline and determination.
U18 Vietnam will now turn their attention to their final group match against U18 Zhejiang (China) on September 24. A strong showing in that fixture would further confirm the progress of the young squad and provide valuable experience as they continue their journey in regional and international youth competitions.
Khanh An
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