Conceding an unfortunate goal in added time, U19 Vietnamsettle for second place in Group A
On the evening of June 7, the Vietnam U19 national team suffered a regrettable 1-2 defeat against hosts Indonesia U19 in the final Group A match of the 2026 AFF U19 Championship. A stoppage-time penalty goal cost coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his players the top spot, leaving them to await the results of the remaining groups to determine their chances of advancing to the semifinals.
08/06/2026 10:17:54As predicted, the clash between the two sides unfolded in a vibrant atmosphere at the Sumatera Utara Main Stadium, fueled by the passionate support of the massive home crowd. The pressure from the stands, combined with Indonesia U19’s high-speed and physical playstyle, caused significant difficulties for Vietnam U19 in the opening minutes.
As early as the 3rd minute, the hosts created their first dangerous chance in front of the Vietnamese goal. Subsequent relentless attacks forced the red-shirted defense to work at full capacity. In the 16th minute, goalkeeper Tan Minh made a brilliant save to deny Indonesia the opener.
However, the hosts’ continuous pressure finally paid off in the 22nd minute. Capitalizing on a hesitant clearance by the Vietnamese defense, Reno seized the opportunity to break the deadlock for Indonesia U19. This was also the first goal Vietnam U19 had conceded since the start of the tournament.
After conceding, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi’s boys pushed their formation higher in search of an equalizer. In the 27th minute, Duy Khang had a notable chance with a sharp strike, but the Indonesian goalkeeper remained focused to make the save. Despite their relentless efforts, Vietnam U19 struggled to break down the opponent’s well-organized defensive system and headed into the break trailing 0-1.
Vietnam U19 turned more proactive in the second half, gradually creating clearer opportunities. Duy Khang continued to be the spearhead of the attack with his technical skills and playmaking ability. In the 60th minute, following Duy Khang’s determined effort to keep the ball alive on the right flank, Cong Hau had a header inside the box, but the ball flew inches over the crossbar.
Vietnam U19’s tireless efforts were finally rewarded in the 74th minute. From a corner kick, Quoc Khanh leaped highest to deliver a precise header, leveling the score and spark celebrations among his teammates.
The equalizer energized Vietnam U19 for the remainder of the match. However, just when the game seemed destined for a draw, the turning point arrived in the 90th minute. The referee ruled that a Vietnamese defender committed a foul during an aerial duel inside the penalty area and awarded a spot-kick to the hosts. From the 11-meter mark, Envandra made no mistake, beating goalkeeper Tan Minh to seal a 2-1 victory for Indonesia U19 in the 90+2 minute.
The heartbreaking defeat meant Vietnam U19 concluded the group stage in second place in Group A. While Indonesia U19 advanced to the semifinals as group winners, coach Yutaka Ikeuchi and his squad must now await the final results of Group B and Group C to determine their fate.
Despite the unfavorable result, the showdown against hosts Indonesia still provided significant technical value for Vietnam U19. Playing under the intense pressure of tens of thousands of home fans, facing adversity both on the pitch and from the stands, and enduring the high-stakes tension of a decisive match offered these young players invaluable experience to build their international character. This also serves as an excellent opportunity for the coaching staff to further evaluate and fine-tune the squad, ahead of their more crucial target: the 2027 AFC U20 Asian Cup qualifiers.
