Saudi Arabia, 7 May 2026 – A narrow 1-0 win over Yemen U17 in the early hours of May 7 not only lifted Vietnam U17 to the top of Group C, but also ended a 10-year winless run for Vietnam’s youth teams at the continental U17 level.
Vietnam made an impressive start to the AFC U-17 Asian Cup, securing all three points thanks to a late goal from Dau Quang Hung in the 77th minute. The forward reacted quickly inside the penalty area and finished calmly into the bottom corner after a precise assist from Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc.
Beyond the result, the victory carries historical significance. It marks Vietnam’s first win at this level since 2016, when the team defeated Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in the group stage. Since then, Vietnam’s U17 sides have struggled to progress, often exiting early in subsequent tournaments.
At full-time, head coach Cristiano Roland shared an emotional moment with his players, embracing each of them in the dressing room as a gesture of appreciation for their determination and fighting spirit.
Under the Brazilian coach, Vietnam approached the match with confidence, discipline, and focus, especially against Yemen’s physically strong style of play. Although they came under sustained pressure in the second half, the young squad remained resilient and composed before producing a decisive breakthrough late in the game.
In the other Group C fixture, South Korea U17 drew 1-1 with UAE U17. That result puts Vietnam temporarily at the top of the standings with three points and a +1 goal difference, while South Korea and UAE each have one point, and Yemen sit at the bottom.
Taking early control of the group provides a major psychological boost for Vietnam ahead of a crucial clash against South Korea U17. According to the schedule, the two sides will meet at 11:00 PM on May 10 in what is expected to be a decisive match in the race for qualification to the 2026 U17 World Cup.
VSN/RPT
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