U17 Vietnam has returned home after a determined journey at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup
On the morning of April 13, the Vietnam U17 national team arrived at Nội Bài International Airport (Hanoi), marking the end of their campaign at the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup. The flight of head coach Cristiano Roland and his players back home departed from Taif (Saudi Arabia), with a layover in Doha (Qatar), and lasted nearly 24 hours. Representing the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) at the airport to welcome the team were Deputy General Secretary Nguyễn Minh Châu and Director of the National Teams Department Đoàn Anh Tuấn.
15/04/2025 10:05:21
Although they were unable to secure a spot in the quarterfinals and missed out on qualification for the 2025 U17 World Cup, U17 Vietnam left a strong impression on fans. Remaining unbeaten in three matches against tough opponents—Japan, Australia, and the UAE—the young players demonstrated resilience, a fighting spirit, and a confident, ambitious style of play. What the U17 Vietnam showcased is a promising sign for the future of youth football in the country.
Earlier, during the team’s layover in Doha, VFF General Secretary Nguyễn Văn Phú—on his way back from a business trip to Brazil—also took the opportunity to meet and encourage the entire squad. He expressed his gratitude to the players and coaching staff for their relentless efforts throughout the tournament and emphasized his confidence in the continued growth and development of this promising generation of young footballers in the near future.
Before parting ways with his players at the airport, head coach Cristiano Roland shared heartfelt words of encouragement. The Brazilian coach emphasized that the team had experienced a truly meaningful tournament—not only in terms of performance but also in showcasing the spirit and ambition of Vietnamese football. He reminded his players to hold on to that spirit as they return to their clubs, continue training diligently, and keep striving to improve themselves.
“Greater opportunities lie ahead, and I believe many of you will go even further wearing the national team jersey,” said coach Cristiano Roland.
After returning to Vietnam, the players will rejoin their respective clubs to continue training and competing in domestic tournaments. Their journey of growth will carry on as they aim to progress further and represent the national team at higher levels in the future.
