Vietnam's U17 team is extremely busy after winning the championship; when will they depart for the Asian Finals?

The Vietnam U17 team promptly returned to the training routine to prepare for the AFC U17 Asian Cup shortly after arriving back in the country.

After their triumphant journey at the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship held in Indonesia, the Vietnam U17 team returned home amid welcoming cheers from fans. However, the joy of victory lasted only briefly as the entire team quickly entered a preparation phase for the more significant upcoming objective.

Right after landing, Coach Cristiano Roland and his squad headed to the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center to regroup and maintain their training rhythm. The limited time frame forced the coaching staff to devise a suitable training plan, ensuring recovery from the regional tournament while enhancing tactical elements to be ready for the continental stage.

In the final days of April, the Vietnam U17 team focused on adjusting physical condition, reviewing the squad, and refining their playing style. The coaching staff paid special attention to defensive organization and transition capabilities—factors predicted to be crucial when facing strong opponents in Asia.

According to the plan, the entire team will depart for Saudi Arabia early on May 1, a few days before the competition starts, to acclimatize to weather conditions and the venues. There, the Vietnam U17 team will have additional adaptation training sessions and may play friendly matches to finalize the last pieces.

At the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026, Vietnam's U17 team is placed in Group C alongside traditional strong opponents including South Korea U17, UAE U17, and Yemen U17. This group is considered highly competitive, requiring the young Vietnamese players to maintain maximum focus.

The Southeast Asian championship title is a crucial morale boost, but for Vietnam's U17 team, the real challenge only begins as they step onto the continental stage.