Regional and AFC newspapers feel sorry for U.17 Vietnam, Indonesian team is warned

At least, U.17 Vietnam did not lose and they left with their heads held high.

"Today I will support the U.17 Vietnam team," a fan commented on the status line of the Main Stand page (Thailand), when updating the results of the U.17 Vietnam team taking an early lead against the UAE team with a score of 1-0 in the 23rd minute thanks to player Hoang Trong Duy Khang scoring. Many others said: "The resilient and effective playing style of the U.17 Vietnam team deserves support. They are also representatives of the Southeast Asian region."

Vietnam U.17 team missed out on World Cup ticket, making regional fans regretful

Photo: VFF

Indonesian sites such as FaktaBola and Extra Time Indonesia also expressed their support and regret: "What a pity for the U.17 Vietnam team. They deservedly led 1-0, and were sure to have a ticket to the World Cup in their hands. Until, just a small mistake of losing concentration in defense at the end of the match, made them pay the price with a 1-1 draw and had to stop the game in regret."

Thai reporter Ta Lao also expressed: "This loss has shattered the dream of the Vietnam U.17 team to participate in the World Cup". The-AFC page of the Asian Football Confederation is also full of regret: "The young Vietnamese players have fulfilled almost all expectations, which is to score and control the match. They also missed many opportunities to increase the gap. But the UAE's efforts also deserve recognition, with the equalizer in the final minutes of the match by Hazaa Faisal Madhi. Thereby, bringing them to the quarter-finals, while the Vietnam U.17 team had to leave with regret".

In the key match of Group B of the U.17 Asian Cup that took place late on April 10 (Vietnam time), the U.17 Vietnam team experienced many emotions after taking the lead against the UAE team with a score of 1-0.

At one point, coach Cristiano Roland's team jumped to the top of the table, much to the astonishment of the regional press, as Japan U17 unexpectedly lost 1-3 to Australia U17 in the same match. But then two late goals in the 86th and 87th minutes of the two matches at the same time upset the entire order in the table.

Japan U.17 reduced the deficit to Australia to 2-3 thanks to Tani's goal in the 86th minute. One minute later, Vietnam U.17 also equalized with a score of 1-1. Vietnam U.17 dropped from the top of the table to the bottom of the table with only 3 points after 3 draws with the same score of 1-1. Japan, UAE and Australia are all tied at 4 points, having to consider head-to-head and goal difference. In the end, Japan U.17, which was on the verge of elimination, took the lead thanks to a goal difference of +2, while UAE won the direct head-to-head with Australia to advance.

"This was a chaotic ending with all the ups and downs, and only revolved around 1 goal that decided everything. It's a pity for U.17 Vietnam, they did everything and deserved to go on. They can hold their heads high after their best efforts," CNN Indonesia wrote.

After U.17 Vietnam was eliminated, the only representative of the Southeast Asian region left was the U.17 Indonesia team, which entered the quarterfinals of the Asian tournament and won a place in the final round of the 2025 U.17 World Cup in Qatar in November.

President of the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI), Mr. Erick Thohir, said: "The Indonesian U.17 team has won all 3 group stage matches (the last match was a 2-0 win over Afghanistan). We are the only representative of the Southeast Asian region to reach the quarter-finals of the Asian tournament and have a place at the World Cup. However, the players are not allowed to be intoxicated with victory. We still have a very difficult quarter-final match ahead. I hope the whole team will have to focus on the competition and continue to improve their abilities."

In the quarter-finals of the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship, the Indonesia U-17 team (top of Group C) will meet the second-placed team in Group D, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Tajikistan or Oman, at 9:00 p.m. on April 14 (Vietnam time).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/bao-khu-vuc-va-afc-tiec-cho-u17-viet-nam-doi-indonesia-bi-nhac-nho-185250411082615965.htm