VFF President speaks candidly about Vietnam U17's championship

VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu stated that winning the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 title is a positive sign, yet the larger objectives for Vietnam U17 are still continental competitions and the aspiration for the World Cup.

On the evening of April 26, the Vietnam U17 national team arrived at Noi Bai International Airport following their successful journey at the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 Championship. A large number of fans along with representatives from the Vietnam Football Federation were present early to welcome the young players who brought glory to the nation's football. The atmosphere at the airport became exceptionally lively with fresh flower bouquets, congratulatory messages, and pride evident on every face.

Representing the Vietnam Football Federation, General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu along with leaders of various departments personally conveyed congratulations to the entire team. He assessed that this championship is a deserved achievement for the persistent efforts of coach Cristiano Roland and his squad throughout the preparation and competition process. According to him, the resilient competitive spirit, discipline, and clear progress of the players are the crucial factors that helped Vietnam U17 ascend to the highest position.

The leadership of the Vietnam Football Federation also emphasized that the achievement in the Southeast Asian arena is only one part of the long-term development strategy for Vietnamese youth football. The larger goal remains building a quality succession force for the national team, capable of competing at continental and world-level tournaments. Winning the regional championship carries positive significance, but it is not the final destination of the development journey.

General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu believes the players need to quickly put aside the joy of victory to focus on greater challenges ahead. Qualification for the U17 World Cup is always an important target, but that is a long process requiring continuous effort. With a squad still very young, maintaining desire, focus, and a progressive spirit will determine their potential to advance far in the future.

On behalf of the whole team, coach Cristiano Roland expressed gratitude for the attention and favorable conditions provided by the Vietnam Football Federation over this period. The Brazilian coach affirmed that the Southeast Asian championship will be a major source of motivation for the players to continue striving. However, he also stressed that the team will swiftly shift focus to the more important goal: the upcoming U17 Asian Finals.

Vietnam U17 currently holds a very impressive streak of 16 consecutive unbeaten matches, including 12 wins and 4 draws. The students of coach Cristiano Roland have scored up to 59 goals while conceding only 4 times. The balance between offensive strength and solid defensive organization is certainly becoming a crucial foundation for the team to confidently step onto the continental arena with high expectations.

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