Vietnam U17 wins 14-0, tops Group C, AFC impressed.
Opening the scoring after 60 seconds, Vietnam U17 took a 6-0 lead and then won 14-0 against Northern Mariana U17. The AFC praised their relentless efforts. Vietnam surpassed Malaysia U17 thanks to a goal difference of +20.
It took Vietnam U17 just 60 seconds to unlock the game and lay the groundwork for a 14-0 victory over Northern Mariana U17, putting coach Cristiano Roland's team at the top of Group C with 6 points and a goal difference of +20. The AFC website described it as:"Vietnam were looking for a goal right from the first whistle and went up 6-0 after the first 45 minutes.".
60 seconds to unlock, 45 minutes of dominance.
In the very first minute, Tran Manh Quan scored the opening goal. Just a few minutes later, the striker doubled the lead, before Nguyen Van Duong successfully converted a penalty to complete his brace. The scoring momentum continued with goals from Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc (33rd minute) and Nguyen Minh Thuy (35th minute). Vietnam U17 ended the first half with a 6-0 lead, exactly as predicted regarding their "unstoppable attacking performance".
The home team displayed high intensity from the start, well-structured attacks, and neat passing combinations. The diversity in their finishing – from center forwards to second-line positions – demonstrated their ability to "score from any position," as described by the AFC.
Maintain the intensity until the very last minute.
After the break, the Vietnam U17 team did not cool down. The AFC noted:"The home team continued scoring relentlessly after the break… and sealed a dominant victory."The second half saw eight more goals, including strikes from Hoang Viet, Manh Cuong, Dinh Vy, Quy Vuong, Ngoc Son, and a brace from Trong Dai Nhan. Every move demonstrated the team's tightness, precision, and desire to win.
Malaysia wins by a narrow margin, top spot changes hands.
In the other match in the same group, U17 Malaysia only managed a narrow 1-0 victory against U17 Hong Kong. Despite superior ball control, Malaysia had to wait until the 64th minute to score after a scramble, with Iman Danish finishing the ball. This result caused Malaysia to lose their top spot to Vietnam, who currently have a goal difference of +20 after two matches.
Key figures
| Index | Value/Details |
|---|---|
| Score | Vietnam U17 14-0 Northern Mariana U17 |
| First half | 6-0 |
| Opening minute | 1' – Tran Manh Quan |
| Key milestones | 33' – Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc; 35' – Nguyen Minh Thuy; Nguyen Van Duong scores a brace, one goal from a penalty. |
| Second half | 8 goals; including Hoàng Việt, Mạnh Cường, Đình Vỹ, Quý Vương, Ngọc Sơn; Trọng Đại Nhân scored a brace. |
| Score/Diagram | 6 points; +20 |
| Competitors | U17 Malaysia 1-0 U17 Hong Kong (64' Iman Danish) |
Impact and message
This resounding victory brings the Vietnam U17 team very close to its goal of becoming the sixth Vietnamese football team to qualify for the 2026 Asian Championships, following in the footsteps of the national women's team, the national U23 team, the men's futsal team, the women's U20 team, and the women's U17 team. As the AFC noted, this is proof of the thorough preparation, fighting spirit, and resilience of the younger generation.
If they maintain the intensity and effectiveness shown in the last two matches, the journey to Saudi Arabia in 2026 is entirely within reach for the Vietnam U17 team.
Personal notes
According to reports, striker Tran Manh Quan was honored by the AFC as the best player of the U17 Vietnam vs U17 Northern Mariana match, a well-deserved reward for his opening goal and for driving the attack from the very first seconds.