China, 7 May 2026 – Head coach Masahiko Okiyama has called on Vietnam U17 Women to stay fully focused as the team prepares for the quarter-finals of the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup 2026, with a coveted place at the U17 Women’s World Cup also on the line.
On the evening of May 7, Vietnam U17 Women secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Myanmar to book their spot in the last eight of the tournament. Although Vietnam did not dominate the match overall, the team made the most of their opportunities, scoring twice from free-kicks through Linh Chi and Ngoc Anh before holding on for an important win.
The result saw Masahiko Okiyama’s side finish second in Group A. Vietnam will now face the runners-up of Group B, which will be decided after the final round of matches on May 8.
Speaking after the game, the Japanese coach praised the fighting spirit of his players while also acknowledging the strength of their opponents.
“Compared to a year ago, Myanmar have improved a lot and proved to be a very difficult opponent,” Okiyama said.
“Perhaps the previous two matches were too physically and mentally demanding, so the players had not fully recovered. But they stayed united, encouraged each other constantly, and fought hard until the final whistle to earn the victory.”
The coach also emphasized the importance of recovery and preparation ahead of the knockout stage.
“Now we have to prepare as well as possible for the quarter-finals. The most important thing is for the players to maintain good fitness and form so that we are ready to compete against any opponent,” he added.
According to the schedule, Vietnam U17 Women will play their quarter-final match at 2:00 PM on May 11. A victory would not only send the team into the semi-finals but also secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
VSN/RPT
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