Vietnam regroup for ASEAN U17 Boys’ championship campaign
VOV.VN - Vietnamese players have regrouped and resumed training from April 1 at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre, as part of preparations for the 2026 ASEAN U17 Boys’ Championship.
Head coach Cristiano Roland has retained the core squad that impressed in the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup qualifiers, where Vietnam recorded five consecutive wins, scored 30 goals and conceded none to top Group C and secure a place in the finals.
In addition to key players, the squad see the return of several notable names, including Dau Quang Hung, Nguyen Le Quang Khoi and Tran Ngoc Son. Hung previously featured in the 2025 AFC U17 Asian Cup finals, while Khoi and Son gained international experience at the CFA Team China U16 tournament in 2025.
New faces have also been called up, including Vu Duc Huy (Hanoi Police FC), Phung Quang Danh (Viettel FC) and Ta Dinh Phong (Da Nang FC), adding depth to the squad.
The team are set to train in Hanoi until April 10 before travelling to Indonesia for the tournament.
Vietnam have been drawn in Group A alongside hosts Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste. The presence of regional rivals Indonesia and Malaysia is expected to make the group highly competitive. Indonesia will benefit from home advantage, while Malaysia remain a direct contender for a semi-final berth.
In Group B, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines will compete, while Group C features Australia, Cambodia, Singapore and Brunei.
Teams will play in a round-robin format, with the three group winners and the best second-placed team advancing to the semi-finals, making every match crucial.
The 2026 ASEAN U17 Boys’ Championship is scheduled to take place from April 11 to 23 in Indonesia. Vietnam will open their campaign against Malaysia on April 13.
Beyond regional competition, the tournament also serves as an important stepping stone towards the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals, set to be held in Saudi Arabia in May, offering a valuable opportunity for further squad development and international exposure.
Vietnam drawn into ‘group of death’ at ASEAN U17 Championship 2026
VOV.VN - Vietnam’s U17 team have been placed in the “group of death” at the ASEAN U-17 Boys' Championship 2026, scheduled to take place in Indonesia in April 2026.
