U17 Vietnam is undefeated but still cannot get a ticket to the World Cup

Entering the final match of the 2025 AFC U17 Championship group stage, Vietnam U17 maintained their familiar defensive counter-attacking style of play right after the opening whistle. However, surprisingly, UAE U17 proactively played low, giving up the game, creating opportunities for coach Cristiano Roland's students to push up their formation and create two dangerous situations early in the match.

However, the finishing was still inaccurate, and the Vietnamese defense maintained their position against the opponent's counterattacks.

The balance of the match was broken in the 23rd minute. From a cross close to the right-wing flagpole, Duy Khang swooped in and volleyed with a sensational one-touch, the ball ricocheting, leaving the UAE goalkeeper completely helpless. This was Duy Khang's second goal of the tournament, after scoring against U17 Australia in the opening match.

U17 Vietnam takes advantage after the first 45 minutes

Before that, Viet Long had a tricky dribble and then passed back to Chu Ngoc who shot from afar, forcing goalkeeper Nasser to push the ball away. Van Khanh rushed in to kick the rebound but was blocked by defender Suhail Anoubi right on the goal line.

After conceding the goal, UAE had to wait until the 35th minute to create their first significant opportunity. Vietnam U17 now played more proactively, flexibly switching between defense and counterattack.

In the 62nd minute, Vietnam's goal was threatened when Jayden Adetiba fired a shot from a tight angle, forcing Xuan Tin to show off his talent in saving it. Immediately after, Salem Esam fired the rebound but sent the ball over the bar, regretfully missing the equalizer.

It was not until the 87th minute that U17 UAE, after much effort, equalized from a cross from a set piece. The ball was hung at the far post and Jayden Adetiba made an effort for Hazaa Faisal to score a close-range goal to tie the score 1-1.

U17 UAE equalized in the 87th minute, causing U17 Vietnam to lose the chance to make history when the final whistle sounded (Photo: AFC)

To let the opponent equalize, U17 Vietnam pushed up the formation to find an equalizer, but the young strikers could not score a goal. In the end, the two teams tied 1-1. In the match at the same time, U17 Australia won 3-2 U17 Japan.

Thus, both U17 Vietnam and UAE could not win tickets to the U17 World Cup. Of which, U17 Vietnam was undefeated throughout the group stage but ranked last with three points, UAE had the same four points as Japan and Australia but lost on secondary index.

U17 Vietnam and the rankings at the U17 Asian Cup

Source: https://nld.com.vn/u17-viet-nam-bat-bai-nhung-van-khong-the-gianh-ve-du-world-cup-196250410220739885.htm