Vietnam U17 wins 6-0, coach Cristiano Roland is satisfied.

Vietnam U17 opened their campaign in the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup Qualifiers with a 6-0 victory over Singapore U17. After the match, coach Cristiano Roland affirmed his satisfaction with both the result and the performance, emphasizing the team's collective strength and consistency throughout the 90 minutes.

Speaking at the press conference, coach Cristiano Roland said: “I am pleased with the result and the team's performance. We achieved our goal of 3 points in the opening match, and importantly, the Vietnam U17 team had a good start and maintained that form throughout the 90 minutes. I think that's very important for young players.”

The head coach also acknowledged the developmental nature of U17 players: “Today, my first thought was that the young players would make mistakes and errors, but that’s normal. Of course, we are prepared for such situations, and the team must learn from them. Vietnam U17 deserved the three points. We feel much more confident after this match.”

From the locker room to the pitch: unity is the foundation.

Beyond just the score, the message that coach Cristiano Roland emphasized throughout was team spirit: "For me, unity, teamwork, and national pride always come first. When the players sing the national anthem, they understand best how they must fight for the fans."

He added about the team culture, even in the moment of celebrating a goal: "I always encourage the players to fight with the greatest motivation when they go onto the field, and even when celebrating a goal together, they must show the team's culture, unity, and strength."

Maintaining the 90-minute lead: a positive sign for the qualifying round.

At the U17 level, the ability to maintain a consistent tempo throughout the match is a crucial measure. Coach Cristiano Roland's team demonstrated focus from the start to the game, fulfilling his objective: maintaining a consistent playing style for the full 90 minutes. This is the foundation for optimizing the quality of young players' decision-making, reducing errors, and maintaining intensity when facing a demanding schedule.

Five matches in ten days: rotation is essential.

Regarding plans for the road ahead, coach Cristiano Roland acknowledged that the intensity of playing "5 matches in 10 days" is a major challenge, but affirmed that the team "is prepared and always ready." He emphasized flexibility in personnel use: "I told the team that a player might start in one match but change it in another." This rotation strategy ensures a balance between short-term success and the team's resilience in the qualifying race.

Main highlights

• Score: 6-0 against Singapore U17.
• Three crucial points in the opening match of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Qualifiers.
• Maintain a stable playing condition for 90 minutes, as required by the coaching staff.
• With a schedule of 5 matches in 10 days, coach Cristiano Roland is prepared to rotate the squad.
• Team spirit and team culture are prioritized.

The resounding victory instilled confidence, but the message from the technical area remained clear: focus, discipline, and continued learning with each match. With a strengthened collective foundation, the Vietnam U17 team has added leverage to go the distance in the qualifiers.