Coach Cristiano Roland: U17 Vietnam is ready to face Australia

Ahead of the opening match of the 2025 AFC U17 Championship, head coach Cristiano Roland affirmed that the Vietnam U17 team has made thorough preparations and will enter the tournament with the highest determination. The Brazilian coach emphasized that all upcoming matches are as important as the final, the team will fight with all their might.

Looking back at the preparation process, coach Cristiano Roland expressed his satisfaction with what his players showed during the training period and through friendly matches. He said that the whole team reviewed and deployed many different tactics to ensure flexibility in every situation on the field. “This is an important moment, and we have prepared carefully after observing the players demonstrate their abilities,” coach Roland shared.

Regarding the weakness in physique, the Brazilian strategist admitted that U17 Vietnam does not have an advantage in physique compared to some teams in the region. However, the whole team has prepared carefully for high balls and set pieces. Coach Roland affirmed: "We believe the players will play well. The most important thing is to maintain maximum concentration throughout the 90 minutes."

Before the kick-off, the team completed their final preparations in Taif. To keep the players in good spirits, the final training session was reduced, focusing on physical games to create a fun atmosphere. The players all showed great determination, ready to face and overcome challenges.

Talking about the opponent in the opening match, coach Cristiano Roland revealed that the coaching staff had carefully studied the opponent U17 Australia, making detailed plans for both attack and defense. “The whole team is ready. We have considered different scenarios that could happen and will make adjustments when necessary. Every match is as important as a final,” coach Roland affirmed.