U.17 Vietnam - Japan match schedule today: Ultimate challenge, K+ broadcast

"Turn face" like the weather

On the evening of April 6, in the unusually cold weather in Taif city (Saudi Arabia), U.17 Vietnam continued to practice diligently, preparing for the important confrontation with U.17 Japan in the second match of Group B, 2025 AFC U-17 Championship.

Coach Roland and his students practice in the rain

The weather in Taif suddenly changed when it rained continuously all day, causing the temperature to drop sharply, giving the feeling of winter in Hanoi . Not stopping there, right when the team entered the main content of the training session, the rain fell even heavier, significantly affecting the training plan that the coaching staff had built.

However, coach Cristiano Roland and his team were not discouraged. The whole team maintained their spirit and persevered in completing all the assigned exercises. U.17 Vietnam is now like a resilient train firmly on the track, aiming to win a ticket to the group stage. The challenge ahead is extremely difficult - U.17 Japan, one of the bright candidates for the championship this year.

U.17 Japan is extremely strong

U.17 Vietnam had a smooth start at the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship when they earned 1 point (a 1-1 draw) against the highly rated U.17 Australia. Facing a strong opponent and conceding the first goal, coach Cristiano Roland's students still played bravely, calmly deploying their play to find an equalizer. The commendable performance in the opening match of the continental tournament is a positive signal that the U.17 Vietnam players brought to the fans. Le Huy Viet Anh and his teammates showed their ability to withstand pressure well, even when in a difficult situation. This needs to be continued by the young Vietnamese players, because U.17 Japan is even more formidable than the young team from the land of kangaroos.

Under Brazilian coach Cristiano Roland, U.17 Vietnam is a team with a pragmatic, well-organized style of play, prioritizing solid defense. This tactic has proven effective when U.17 Vietnam is unbeaten in the last 8 matches, in which the biggest success is a draw with U.17 Australia. When facing U.17 Japan, the U.17 Vietnam team will still approach the match in the same way. However, the team from the land of cherry blossoms is the ultimate challenge for the defensive counter-attack philosophy that Mr. Roland has worked so hard to build for so long.

U.17 Vietnam (left) needs to prove its mettle against strong opponent U.17 Japan

PHOTO: VFF

The coaching staff of U.17 Vietnam has made careful preparations. In addition to group coordination exercises and maintaining defensive formations, organizing counterattacks and taking advantage of opportunities are also emphasized. Coach Roland has his players hone their coordination and finishing skills. The Brazilian captain has strict requirements for his players in each shot, and also emphasizes that when facing a strong opponent, every opportunity in front of the goal must be fully utilized. In addition, in the U.17 Vietnam squad, there is also technical advisor Yukata Ikeuchi. Mr. Ikeuchi is knowledgeable about Japanese football and has experience leading the country's youth teams. Mr. Ikeuchi's presence is expected to help U.17 Vietnam have more countermeasures when facing U.17 Japan.

Japan is the most successful team in the U.17 Asian tournament, with 4 titles. They are also the defending champions of the tournament. Winning against U.17 Vietnam is a mandatory goal that the cherry blossom team must achieve in their journey to defend their championship. 3 full points against U.17 Vietnam will help U.17 Japan soon win a ticket to the Asian quarter-finals and participate in the U.17 World Cup 2025, before entering the final match of the group stage against the tough opponent U.17 Australia. U.17 Japan plays a diverse attack, based on the foundation of a team of evenly matched players, strong in both technique and speed.

In the opening match, winning 4-1 against U.17 UAE, coach Nozomi Hiroyama's team showed that they are very strong in wing situations, especially on the left wing. The Japanese players quickly passed the ball down the wing and then turned it inside early for the striker to cut in and finish. Besides the very fast and dangerous striker Minato Yoshida (scored a double against U.17 UAE), the defenders of U.17 Vietnam also have to be wary of factors with high potential to create breakthroughs such as Yuito Kamo and Hiroto Asada.

The match is broadcast on K+ channel.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lich-thi-dau-u17-viet-nam-nhat-ban-hom-nay-thu-thach-cuc-dai-k-phat-song-185250406210610353.htm