Vietnam U17 finalizes 23-player squad, eliminates 4 before opening match.
Coach Cristiano Roland finalized the 23-player squad after the training session on November 21st at PVF; Vietnam U17 will kick off their campaign against Singapore on November 22nd and face a schedule of 5 matches in 10 days.
The Vietnam U17 team finalized their 23-player squad for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers after their final training session on the afternoon of November 21st at the PVF Youth Football Training Center. Coach Cristiano Roland dropped four players: goalkeeper Ho Le Nguyen Chuong, defender Nguyen Le Duc Anh, midfielder Hoang Minh Loi, and forward Ho Chi Dan. Vietnam U17's opening match will take place on November 22nd against Singapore U17 at the PVF Stadium.
Personnel decisions after the final training session.
Immediately after the final preparations, the coaching staff announced the list of 23 players according to the tournament regulations and took time to encourage the players who would not be continuing with the tournament, urging them to maintain a positive attitude and strive at their clubs to open up opportunities for a return in future training camps.
- Goalkeeper: Ho Le Nguyen Chuong
- Defender: Nguyen Le Duc Anh
- Midfielder: Hoang Minh Loi
- Forward: Ho Chi Dan
The Brazilian coach highly values the current squad, noting that many players have experience from last year's U17 Asian Championship, providing the necessary continuity for a long campaign with a high frequency of matches.
Schedule pressure: 5 matches in 10 days
Coach Cristiano Roland emphasized that the biggest challenge is the demanding schedule of 5 matches in 10 days, forcing the team to optimize recovery and rotate players. At the U17 level, the ability to manage physical exertion is just as important as tactics, helping to maintain a stable rhythm of play and minimize the risk of injury. This will be a test of squad depth as well as flexibility in personnel options for each opponent.
Group C and the opening match on November 22nd.
Vietnam U17 is in Group C along with Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Northern Mariana Islands and Macau (China). Their first match against Singapore U17 will take place on November 22nd at the PVF Stadium. The result of the opening match will be crucial for their morale before the team embarks on a series of high-intensity matches.
Preparation and objectives
According to coach Cristiano Roland, thanks to the support from the Vietnam Football Federation, the team has had a positive preparation process, with the training camp in Japan providing valuable experiences for the young players. He affirmed that the entire team is in good spirits, fully focused on the opening match and aiming to qualify for the 2026 AFC U17 Championship.
If they achieve their goal, the Vietnam U17 team will become the sixth Vietnamese football team to participate in the continental finals next year, after the national women's team, the national U23 team, the men's futsal team, the women's U20 team, and the national U17 women's team.
Opponent's Perspective
The intensity in Group C is further fueled by the statement from coach Javier Jorda (Malaysia U17), who considers the clash with Vietnam U17 as the "final" of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers. This statement reflects the expectations and level of competition in a group with many variables.
The numbers are noteworthy.
- 23 players on the official roster according to the league regulations.
- Four players were dropped after the final training session on November 21st.
- Five matches in 10 days
- Opening match: November 22nd, against Singapore U17 at PVF Stadium.
With a solid foundation of preparation, a core group with experience in the finals, and a well-defined rotation plan, the Vietnam U17 team entered the qualifiers with a proactive approach to physical and mental fitness, ready for the race to secure a spot in the 2026 AFC U17 Championship finals.
