Hung Yen, 30 November 2025 – As U23 Vietnam prepare to fly to Thailand with the ambition of winning SEA Games gold, their younger successors have delivered a perfect source of inspiration: U17 Vietnam secured their ticket to the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup with 30 goals scored and zero conceded.
Just days before U23 Vietnam depart for Thailand with the mission of reclaiming SEA Games gold, the country’s football fans were treated to a spectacular performance from the next generation. U17 Vietnam officially sealed their place at the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup after dominating the qualifiers with 30 goals scored and none conceded, completing a flawless run in Group C.
Heading into the decisive “final” match of the group against U17 Malaysia, U17 Vietnam held the top spot thanks to a superior goal difference. Only needing a draw to qualify, the team led by coach Cristiano Roland did far more than that, delivering a commanding victory to assert complete dominance.
Malaysia, currently struggling due to the naturalisation scandal that has shaken their football system, placed immense emphasis on youth development at this tournament. Even the acting President of the Football Association of Malaysia travelled to Vietnam to watch the match in person at PVF.
U17 Vietnam entered aggressively and struck early. In the fourth minute, from a set-piece, the Malaysian goalkeeper pushed the ball straight into the path of Van Duong, who set up Manh Cuong for a close-range finish to open the scoring. The early goal allowed Vietnam to apply relentless high pressing, forcing Malaysia into continuous defensive scrambling.
Throughout the remainder of the first half, Vietnam created multiple dangerous chances. Sy Bach and Minh Thuy came close to doubling the lead, and Sy Bach even struck the post. At the other end, goalkeeper Ly Xuan Hoa produced a sharp save to deny Nabil and preserve the advantage.
The pressure eventually paid off. In the 43rd minute, Van Duong—outstanding all match—sped down the left flank before sending a precise cut-back for Anh Hao to finish and make it 2-0 before halftime.
U17 Vietnam resumed the second half with the same intensity. Just five minutes in, during a chaotic scramble inside the box, Van Duong calmly finished to extend the score to 3-0, completing his excellent personal display with both goal and assist. Unfortunately, the winger later exited the match due to injury, followed shortly by Dai Nhan, forcing Vietnam into early substitutions.
In the 74th minute, Sy Bach showcased finesse in the box before sending a precise shot past the Malaysian keeper, sealing a 4-0 victory. The win, combined with prior results—6-0 vs Singapore, 14-0 vs Northern Mariana Islands, 2-0 vs Hong Kong, and 4-0 vs Macau—completed a perfect qualifying campaign: five wins, 30 goals scored, and zero conceded.
VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan praised the team: “U17 Vietnam played with remarkable maturity, sharpness and modern football. The spirit and discipline shown were admirable. Coach Roland and his staff have elevated this generation, proving that our long-term youth development pathway is correct and effective.”
To honour this achievement, VFF awarded the team a bonus of 600 million VND for qualifying with an unbeaten record and a perfect defensive record.
This continues a historic year for Vietnamese football, with six squads already securing Asian finals berths in 2025: U17 Vietnam, U23 Vietnam, the men’s futsal team, the senior women’s team, and U20 women’s team.
The AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers were conducted under a new format, with 38 teams divided into seven groups. The group winners advance directly, while nine teams—host Qatar and the eight quarter-finalists of the 2025 edition—qualify automatically.
The 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup will take place in Saudi Arabia in May 2026. The top eight teams will represent Asia at the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026.
With such an inspiring performance from the youth team, U23 Vietnam receive the perfect morale boost as they begin their SEA Games 33 campaign, carrying the hopes of the nation into Bangkok.
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