Vietnam U17 confident to face Australia in Asian quarter-finals, Tien Linh disappoints in Ho Chi Minh City Police's draw.
Vietnam U17 aims for a miracle against Australia after securing a World Cup spot, while striker Nguyen Tien Linh continues to lose form in the V-League.
Vietnamese football is experiencing contrasting emotions. While the U17 youth team is brimming with excitement after their miraculous qualification for the 2026 U17 World Cup, V-League stars like Nguyen Tien Linh are facing immense psychological pressure following underwhelming performances.
Vietnam U17: Confident in deciphering the Australian puzzle.
After officially qualifying for the biggest football tournament on the planet for the U17 age group, coach Cristiano Roland and his team are preparing with the utmost readiness for their quarter-final clash against Australia at the U17 Asian Championship. Despite their opponent's superior physique and speed, striker Nguyen Minh Thuy remains confident of a positive outcome.
Minh Thủy acknowledged that Australia is a top-tier continental opponent, but the Vietnamese U17 team has the morale boost from their previous victory against the same opponent in the Southeast Asian tournament. However, coach Cristiano Roland maintained a cautious attitude. The strategist emphasized the importance of focus and unity in their playing style, and hoped his players would transform their excitement into positive energy instead of complacency.
V-League: Tien Linh and the psychological burden
In contrast to the rise of his younger teammates, striker Nguyen Tien Linh continues to be the target of criticism. In the 2-2 draw between Ho Chi Minh City Police and Da Nang, the 1997-born striker missed a golden opportunity in the 5th minute. His clumsy handling of the ball in front of goalkeeper Van Toan showed a lack of confidence that is taking over the mind of this key striker.
Although Ho Chi Minh City Police were considered the stronger team, Da Nang's resilient spirit helped the visitors secure a valuable point in the relegation battle. This draw meant the city team missed the opportunity to improve their position in the standings and also raised serious questions about Tien Linh's form during this crucial stage of the season.
The transfer market and the shocking numbers.
In other news, Hanoi Police (CAHN) is showing great ambition as they prepare to welcome French-Vietnamese center-back Julien Mouillon. With a height of 1.85m and experience from over 160 matches in France, Mouillon is expected to be the perfect addition to the police team's defense for the 2026/27 season.
Notably, CAHN midfielder Stefan Mauk recently shared some interesting insights about income in the V-League. According to Mauk, salaries in Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, are becoming extremely attractive compared to clubs in the A-League (Australia). While A-League players are facing tight pay cuts, foreign stars in the V-League can earn up to 500,000 AUD per year (equivalent to over 8.5 billion VND), along with excellent benefits.
Youth football news brief
The Gia Lai U14 International Football Festival 2026 has concluded in Pleiku with U14 Hanoi winning the championship. The capital's youth team overcame U14 Song Lam Nghe An after a dramatic penalty shootout, affirming their position in Vietnamese football's youth development program.
