Vietnam U17 women's team won a ticket to the Asian Finals after two consecutive wins.

Vietnam U17 women's players celebrate victory. (Photo: VFF)

Having to win to secure their chance to advance, coach Okiyama Masahiko and his team entered the match with high determination. However, their opponents from Hong Kong (China) showed good organization, strong pressing ability and superior physical strength.

During the first 10 minutes of the match, the home team's goal was constantly in a state of alarm, but goalkeeper Cam My excellently blocked two dangerous shots, maintaining the score.

After a period of being at a disadvantage at the beginning, the U17 women's team gradually regained control of the game, controlled the midfield well and continuously organized sharp attacks. In the 30th minute, Hong Thai jumped high to head the ball, forcing goalkeeper Yau Hazel to fly to save the goal. Players Phuong Thao, Phuong Nghi, Minh Anh and Thao Nguyen also continuously created opportunities but were still unable to convert them into goals.

In the second half, coach Okiyama's personnel adjustments were effective. The home team continuously increased the pressure and in the 67th minute, the turning point came when Hai Yen accelerated strongly, passed two opposing defenders before decisively shooting diagonally, opening the score of the match.

Hai Yen (number 13) scored the only goal of the match. (Photo: VFF)

With the lead, the Vietnam U17 women's team continued to maintain the initiative and created a number of notable opportunities. Although they could not widen the gap, the 1-0 victory was enough for the home team to win Group D with a perfect record, not conceding a goal and book their place in the 2026 AFC U17 Women's Championship Finals.

Speaking after the match, coach Okiyama Masahiko affirmed: “First of all, we won two matches, thereby completing the goal of qualifying for the finals. The team played with concentration and did not concede a goal in both matches. I am very proud of the team's fighting spirit and efforts.”

The only goal scorer, Hai Yen (number 13), also emotionally shared: “I am very happy that the team has made it to the next round. The whole team prepared well and always played with the spirit of never giving up. There were times when we did not understand each other, but we communicated to coordinate better and scored a goal. I am very proud to have brought victory to the team.”

Revealing coach Okiyama’s instructions during the break between the two halves, Hai Yen said: “He said if we try hard, we can do it. We are united and believe in each other. The training trip to Germany before the tournament also helped the whole team mature a lot, especially in terms of mentality and competition experience.”

This victory not only marked a solid step forward for the Vietnam U17 women's team, but also made the team the fifth Vietnamese football team in 2025 to qualify for the continental finals, after the U20 women's team, women's national team, men's futsal team and national U23 team.

For the rest of the year, Vietnamese football continues to place its hopes on the national men's U17 team, with the goal of qualifying for the 2026 Asian U17 Championship taking place next November.

To prepare for this journey, the Vietnam Football Federation has developed a training plan in Japan from November 5 to 15, aiming to improve the professional quality, physical strength and international competition skills of young players.

PHAN THACH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/u17-nu-viet-nam-gianh-ve-du-vong-chung-ket-chau-a-sau-hai-tran-toan-thang-post916193.html