U18 PVF defeated V-Varen Nagasaki 5-1, winning the bronze medal at Jeju 2025.

U18 PVF defeated U18 V-Varen Nagasaki 5-1 to win the bronze medal at the K League Youth Asian Championship Jeju 2025. Coach Trinh Quang Vinh's team led 2-0 after the first half and scored three more goals in the second half, with a brace from Hoang Trong Duy Khang and goals from Nguyen Van Bach, Tran Hoang Khanh and Pham Hung Dai.

Main developments

In the 6th minute, U18 PVF opened the scoring from a corner kick. Nguyen Trong Duc Vu delivered a cross for Le Huy Viet Anh to leap and head the ball, creating a scramble near the goal, and Hoang Trong Duy Khang seized the opportunity to finish.

Twenty-three minutes later, Duy Khang completed his brace. From a pass by Nguyen Trung Anh Viet, the number 7 dribbled skillfully down the left, cut inside, and curled a dangerous shot into the net, leaving the opposing goalkeeper helpless. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for the Vietnamese team.

At the start of the second half, U18 PVF continued to dominate. In the 39th minute, Le Huy Viet Anh made a long pass over the defense, Nguyen Van Bach broke through to face the opponent and finished accurately to increase the score to 3-0.

In the 53rd minute, the U18 V-Varen Nagasaki goalkeeper fouled Tran Hoang Khanh inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot, Hoang Khanh successfully converted, giving U18 PVF a 4-0 lead.

In the 63rd minute, Truong Huu Gia Thuan received the ball from Bui Duy Dang on the right wing, executed a turn that caught the defender off guard, and then passed it inside for Pham Hung Dai to finish with a one-touch shot into the top corner, increasing the score to 5-0.

Before the match ended, U18 PVF conceded a goal. Ultimately, coach Trinh Quang Vinh's team won 5-1 and secured third place overall.

Tactical perspective

The way U18 PVF scored five goals illustrates a diverse and pragmatic attacking framework. The opening goal came from a set piece – a corner kick, making good use of Le Huy Viet Anh's aerial ability and Duy Khang's reaction in the penalty area. The second goal was a moment of individual skill: a dribble from the left wing and a curling shot into the far corner by Duy Khang.

After the break, the young Vietnamese team exploited the space behind the opposing defense with a precise long pass from Viet Anh to Van Bach, who raced down and finished. The fourth goal came from a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper, resulting in a penalty for Tran Hoang Khanh. The fifth goal, before the opponent conceded a consolation goal, showcased the excellent connection on the right wing, with Gia Thuan calmly cutting inside and passing to Hung Dai for a one-touch finish.

In all five situations, U18 PVF had clear highlights: well-organized set-piece play, Duy Khang's one-on-one skills and finishing, Viet Anh's ability to develop long balls and choose the right position, and his sharpness in passing and shooting decisions in the 16.5-meter area.

Impact and significance

The 5-1 victory against the Japanese representative helped U18 PVF finish third at the K League Youth Asian Championship Jeju 2025. This result reflects the effectiveness of their play in each specific play, while also creating positive momentum for the young players who demonstrated both technical skills and discipline in an international tournament.

Selective statistics

• Score: U18 PVF 5-1 U18 V-Varen Nagasaki
• First half: 2-0 for U18 PVF; Second half: U18 PVF scored 3 more goals.
• PVF U18 goal scorers: Hoang Trong Duy Khang (2), Nguyen Van Bach, Tran Hoang Khanh (penalty), Pham Hung Dai
• Time of goals according to source: minute 6; 23 minutes later; minute 39; minute 53 (penalty); minute 63
• Notable moments: a corner kick opened the scoring; a long pass from Le Huy Viet Anh to Nguyen Van Bach; the opposing goalkeeper fouled Tran Hoang Khanh inside the penalty area; Gia Thuan assisted Hung Dai for a one-touch finish.