Vietnam U17 team returns home after emotional journey at AFC U17 Finals

On the morning of April 13, after a journey lasting nearly 24 hours,Vietnam U17 teamarrived at Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi). The flight bringing coach Cristiano Roland and his team back departed from Taif city (Saudi Arabia), transiting in Doha (Qatar) before landing in Vietnam.

Welcoming the team at the airport, representatives of the Vietnam Football Federation including Deputy General Secretary Nguyen Minh Chau and Head of National Teams Doan Anh Tuan directly sent congratulations and encouragement to the whole team after their hard-fought journey at the 2025 AFC U17 Championship Finals.

While waiting for a connecting flight in Doha, the General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation – Mr. Nguyen Van Phu also met, visited and encouraged the whole team. This short but emotional meeting showed the close attention from the Federation’s leaders, and at the same time expressed deep gratitude to the players and coaching staff for their tireless efforts in the tournament.

Despite not being able to qualify for the quarter-finals, the Vietnam U17 team played with great courage against strong opponents such as Japan, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. With 3 unbeaten matches, the young players demonstrated their never-give-up spirit, confidence and desire to excel, which are essential factors for the development of Vietnamese youth football.

Head coach Cristiano Roland could not hide his emotions when sharing heartfelt words with his players before saying goodbye at the airport. He affirmed that this is a tournament that not only has professional value, but also marks the fighting spirit and perseverance of the young generation of Vietnamese football.

“The players have shown clear progress, and I believe that if they continue to maintain this spirit, there will be many players capable of joining the national team in the future,” said the Brazilian coach.

After returning home, the players will return to their home clubs to continue training and competing in domestic tournaments. This will be the foundation for them to continue developing, accumulating experience and aiming to participate in higher levels of the national team.

The journey at the AFC U17 Championship Finals this year has come to an end, but what the Vietnam U17 team has shown will certainly be a solid stepping stone for the future. The trust from fans, the attention from football leaders, and the perseverance and hard work of the young players are the factors that promise a bright future for Vietnamese football./.