Vietnam U17 and the 5-month race to improve their fitness for the 2026 World Cup.
To prepare for the World Cup in Qatar, coach Cristiano Roland is implementing a five-month plan to thoroughly improve the physical and fitness weaknesses of the young players.
The Vietnam U17 team is entering the most crucial stage of preparation for their journey towards the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026. With only 5 months remaining, coach Cristiano Roland is facing a daunting challenge: comprehensively upgrading the physical strength and tactical thinking of the young players before they step onto the big stage.
Identifying limitations from the defeat against Australia
The 0-3 defeat against Australia U17 in the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U17 Championship served as a wake-up call regarding the physical condition of the current generation of young players. Statistical analysis shows that, with an average height of only 1.73m, Vietnamese players are often at a disadvantage in aerial duels and high-intensity one-on-one challenges.
Notably, the decline in physical fitness during the second half of intense matches directly reduced the accuracy of passes and finishing ability. Maintaining a solid defensive formation also became more fragile as stamina wore down. These are core issues that the coaching staff needs to prioritize addressing before the tournament in Qatar begins in November.
Training plan through domestic tournaments.
To maintain his players' competitive pace, coach Cristiano Roland's strategy is to maximize the use of domestic competitions. Specifically, the U17 National Championship, taking place in June, is seen as a golden opportunity for key players like Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc, Dao Quy Vuong, and Tran Hoang Viet to gain experience and hone their skills.
In addition, a group of talented players from PVF, including Ly Xuan Hoa, Nguyen Van Duong, Le Sy Bach, Nguyen Ngoc Anh Hao, and Nguyen Huynh Dang Khoa, will also be closely monitored. The coaching staff's goal is not only to maintain the form of the existing core players but also to actively seek new players with superior physiques to increase the depth of the squad.
The challenge from the professional league system.
However, Vietnamese youth football is facing a systemic challenge: a lack of professional playing opportunities for players born in 2009. In Vietnam, leagues such as the V-League, the First Division, or even the National U21 Championship are extremely competitive, severely limiting opportunities for players aged 15-16 to play.
Recognizing this, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has proactively developed a separate training program. It is expected that in October, the entire team will have an intensive training camp with high-quality international friendly matches to finalize the last tactical aspects.
Coach Cristiano Roland affirmed that youth football always requires patience and long-term investment. Thorough preparation in terms of sports science, combined with a courageous fighting spirit, is the key for the Vietnam U17 team to create a surprise at the upcoming World Cup.
