To dream of World Cup, VFF invites more Japanese 'generals'

Changes in the U.17 Vietnam coaching position

Vietnam U17 will participate in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship finals next April. The tournament held in Saudi Arabia is also considered the qualifying round for the 2025 U17 World Cup, when the teams that make it to the quarterfinals will have tickets to the world stage.

Initially, the head coach position of U.17 Vietnam was assigned to coach Cristiano Roland. Mr. Roland coached the Hanoi U.17 team to win the national championship in 2024, then was appointed to lead U.17 Vietnam to play the Peace Cup friendly tournament in China. Under the guidance of the Brazilian coach, the young Vietnamese players made a splash when they defeated both U.17 Uzbekistan and U.17 Japan to win the runner-up position.

Coach Cristiano Roland

Then, it was Coach Roland who took U.17 Vietnam to the 2025 AFC U.17 Championship finals, with 1 win and 2 draws in the qualifying round. The position of coach of the U.17 Vietnam team in the finals was assigned to Coach Roland from that time.

However, the decision to appoint Roland as the technical director of Da Nang FC from the Brazilian coach's parent company changed everything. That means Roland cannot lead the team in the U.17 Asian finals, and the VFF has contacted another candidate. Thanh Nien Newspaper's source revealed that it is a Japanese coach who has led Japanese youth teams and has extensive experience in youth training.

After the professional department submitted the plan to appoint the Japanese coach to the National Coaching Council, VFF initially contacted this strategist. But, once again, a turning point occurred: Technical Director Roland left the Da Nang team to return to U.17 Hanoi. At this time, Mr. Roland could again lead the team in the U.17 Asian finals.

Since there is not much time left to prepare for the 2025 AFC U17 Championship, Coach Roland is a more suitable and safer choice. He has time to bond with his students and possesses a suitable philosophy. VFF has sent a dispatch to the Hanoi team leader to summon Coach Roland to the Vietnam U17 team. When the capital team gives the green light, Mr. Roland and his assistant will return to work.

Mr. Roland almost missed the U.17 Asian finals.

However, the Japanese candidate is expected to still sign a contract with VFF to be part of the U.17 Vietnam coaching team. The Japanese expert will act as a "deputy" to advise Roland. Thus, the U.17 Vietnam coaching team will still include the best quality elements to serve the World Cup dream.

Ambition

U.17 Vietnam is in the same group as U.17 Japan (reigning champion), U.17 Australia and U.17 UAE in the 2025 AFC U-17 Championship finals. To get a ticket to the World Cup, the Vietnamese youth team must pass the group stage, meaning finishing first or second.

Vietnam U17 has twice passed the Asian group stage (2004, 2016). The last time they participated in the tournament in 2023, the team could not create any surprises when they were in a tough group with Japan U17, Uzbekistan U17 and India U17.

Responding to Thanh Nien Newspaper, Coach Roland emphasized: "The tournament will gather the strongest U.17 teams in the continent. The challenge for U.17 Vietnam is very difficult, but that does not mean the World Cup goal is impossible or out of reach.

We will prepare the best, try to complete every step as thoroughly as possible, from screening and concentrating forces, training, strengthening the playing style, training more offensive and defensive tactics or improving the players' mentality and physical strength. U.17 Vietnam must go through a rigorous preparation period to aim for the U.17 Asian playground. However, the players already understand the goal. That is the core thing."

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hlv-roland-tro-lai-u17-viet-nam-de-mo-world-cup-vff-moi-them-tuong-nhat-ban-185250209195249481.htm