Head coach Cristiano Roland: “Vietnam U17 are ready for the big match against Australia U17”
Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of the semifinal of the 2026 AFF U17 Championship, head coach Cristiano Roland affirmed that the Vietnam U17 team has prepared thoroughly and is ready to take on the big challenge against defending champions Australia U17.
24/04/2026 10:28:57
According to head coach Cristiano Roland, Australia U17 are a high-quality side, having recently gained valuable experience through international competitions and possessing a squad that competes regularly. “We have studied them carefully and understand their strengths. They are certainly a very formidable opponent,” said Cristiano Roland.
The Brazilian coach added that ahead of this crucial match, the Vietnam U17 coaching staff have developed tactical plans to contain the opponent’s strengths while maximizing their own team’s abilities. “We have prepared solutions to neutralize the opponent and aim for our best possible performance. The players are in high spirits and ready for tomorrow’s match,” he emphasized.
The 1976-born strategist also believes this is an important moment for Vietnam U17 to demonstrate their capabilities. After a period of preparation before the tournament and steady improvement through each match, the team is now aiming for a positive result. “The players have been improving game by game. The upcoming match is a big challenge, and we always prepare in the best possible way so they can enjoy the match and achieve a good result,” he said.
Midfielder Duy Khang also expressed the team’s determination ahead of the semifinal. “Australia are a very strong team, but with the preparation from our coaching staff, we are ready. We will give our all to achieve the best possible result for Vietnamese fans,” he said. He also emphasized that after two group-stage matches, Vietnam U17 have drawn valuable lessons and will strictly follow their tactical approach to deliver their best performance.
On the other side, Australia U17 head coach Carl Veart showed great respect for Vietnam U17. He noted that the Vietnamese players possess strong individual technique and quick transitions—factors his team must pay close attention to, especially in defensive organization.
“We controlled the game quite well in previous matches, but this one will be different. The players must maintain high concentration throughout the 90 minutes and cannot afford mistakes,” said Carl Veart.
Assessing his team’s journey in the tournament, Carl Veart stated that Australia U17 have faced various challenges and prepared well for long-term objectives, including the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals. However, he stressed that his team must further raise their level when facing Vietnam U17. “Vietnam are the strongest opponent we have faced in this tournament. The upcoming semifinal will certainly be exciting and of high quality,” he added.
The semifinal between Vietnam U17 and Australia U17 will kick off at 7:30 PM tomorrow (April 22).
