Although facing opponents considered superior in physique, fitness, and experience, Viet Nam U17 began the match with confidence. Instead of opting for a deep defensive approach, coach Cristiano Roland’s players pushed their formation higher and pressed from the opening minutes.
After a confident spell of play, the Viet Nam U17s got what they needed in the 33rd minute. From a sharp through ball by Quy Vuong, Sy Bach accelerated past the offside trap before firing a dangerous angled shot past the Republic of Korea goalkeeper to open the scoring.
The goal lifted the spirit of the Viet Nam U17s, while the Republic of Korea U17s struggled to cope with the pace and organisation of the team in red for the remainder of the first half.
In the second half, Republic of Korea U17s increased the pressure. The team from the Republic of Korea pushed forward continuously, applying pressure through quick combinations and central attacking moves. However, Viet Nam U17s held firm thanks to the concentration of their defence and the excellent form of goalkeeper Xuan Hoa.
The turning point came in the 82nd minute, when declining fitness and mounting pressure left the Viet Nam U17s unable to maintain their defensive solidity. A free-kick equaliser from the Republic of Korea U17s changed the course of the match. Just four minutes later, defensive lapses saw the Viet Nam U17s concede two more goals in quick succession.
In stoppage time, the Republic of Korea U17s fully capitalised on their opponents’ drop in morale to complete a remarkable comeback with three consecutive goals, sealing a 4-1 victory.
The result means coach Cristiano Roland and his players have yet to secure an early ticket to the U17 World Cup and must wait for their decisive encounter with United Arab Emirates (UAE) U17s in the final group match, scheduled for 0:00 on May 14 (Viet Nam time).
This will be a decisive match for the Viet Nam U17s in their bid to reach the quarter-finals and move closer to a place at the world’s biggest football event for the U17 age group.
