U17 Vietnam draws with U17 Australia at Asian tournament

Vietnam U17 will meet Australia U17 in Group B of the 2025 AFC U17 Championship finals at Okadh Stadium on the evening of April 4. Coach Cristiano Roland used a rotating formation between 4-4-2 and 4-5-1, with Nguyen Viet Long and Nguyen Thien Phu as the two strikers waiting to counterattack.

In the first 20 minutes, Vietnam defended tightly. The only mistake was in the 13th minute, when defender Le Tan Dung slipped on the left wing, allowing Australia to steal the ball and pass it to the center. Eames shot from 23 meters away, but a Vietnamese player was able to block it. Coach Roland's players also anticipated the danger from their tall opponents, so they had good plans to counter high balls from crosses and corner kicks.

However, Australia has two players of African origin, Akol Akon and Amlani Tatu, who have good dribbling ability and can break through on both sides. In the 27th minute, Tatu dribbled the ball from midfield past two Vietnamese players, before being brought down by Dau Hong Phong in the penalty area. Korean female referee Kim Ju-yeong immediately pointed to the penalty spot. But at a distance of 11 meters, MacNicol's shot hit the crossbar and no teammate was able to get in to finish.

In the 41st minute, MacNicol made up for his mistake with a long-range shot from near the 16m50 box that hit the ground and hit the left corner. Goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin stood still and watched the ball go into the net.

Vietnam were at a disadvantage throughout the half and it was not until the second minute of injury time that they had a good chance. The ball was passed long to the left wing for Hoang Trong Duy Khang to control. He entered the penalty area and then passed it to Nguyen Van Khanh to kick with his left foot close to the 16m50 line. Because it was not in the center, the ball bounced to the right wing, giving goalkeeper Jai Ajanovic enough time to dive to block.

In the second half, after 30 seconds of the ball rolling, the Vietnamese goal shook after a long-range shot by Max Anatasio. Four minutes later, the surprise came from a header into the penalty area by the newly-entered player Nguyen Van Bach. Duy Khang rushed in bravely, controlled the ball with his chest, then shot boldly from a narrow angle near the bottom of the field. Goalkeeper Ajanovic did not close the angle well and had to pay the price with a goal.

Boosted by the equalizer, U17 Vietnam played better in the remaining time and created a few more dangerous shots towards the opponent's goal. On the other side of the field, Australia had reason to regret this draw when in the extra time, the crossbar once again saved the Vietnamese team.

The 1-1 score is still a favorable result for Vietnam in the opening match. The ranking of Group B will be determined after the match between Japan and UAE. In the second match, Vietnam will meet Japan at 10 p.m. (Hanoi time) on April 7, while Australia will meet UAE.