U17 Việt Nam compete against U17 Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup. Việt Nam will improve their physique and physical fitness to compete against the world’s strongest young football nations in Qatar. — Photo courtesy of VFF

Football

HÀ NỘI — After earning a historic place at the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup, the Vietnamese U17 team must now improve its physique and physical fitness to compete against the world’s strongest young football nations in Qatar.

Head coach Cristiano Roland and his staff have identified physical development as the team’s top priority in the five months leading up to the tournament, which will take place from November 19 to December 13.

Việt Nam’s 0-3 defeat to Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup exposed the clear physical gap between the Southeast Asian side and Asia’s elite teams. Beyond the result, the match highlighted Việt Nam’s disadvantages in height, strength and endurance.

With an average height of just 1.73m, the Vietnamese players struggled in aerial duels, physical challenges and high-speed transitions. The team’s fitness levels also dropped significantly in the second half, leading to misplaced passes, weaker defensive coverage and reduced intensity.

Those issues have become a major concern for Roland as Việt Nam prepares for their appearance on the world stage at youth level.

To address the problem, the coaching staff is developing a specialised training programme focused on improving endurance, muscle strength and overall match fitness, while still maintaining the technical style that has become a trademark of Vietnamese football.

The National U17 Championship in June will also play an important role in helping key players gain more competitive experience. Talents such as Chu Ngọc Nguyễn Lực, Đào Quý Vương and Trần Hoàng Việt are expected to continue their development through regular match exposure.

At the same time, players from the PVF academy, including Lý Xuân Hòa, Nguyễn Văn Dương and Lê Sỹ Bách, are being viewed as an important core for the squad thanks to their physical potential and tactical discipline.

Roland is also looking for additional players with stronger physical attributes to increase competition within the squad, particularly in central midfield positions where stamina and strength are crucial.

One of the biggest difficulties for players is the lack of opportunities to compete regularly at a high level. The demanding nature of V.League 1 football limits playing time for young talents, while even the National U21 Championship often requires greater physical maturity and experience.

To accelerate the team’s development, the Việt Nam Football Federation plans to organise a series of international friendlies and overseas training camps before the World Cup. A final intensive training camp is expected in October as the coaching staff looks to fine-tune tactics and further improve the squad’s physical condition.

Despite the challenges ahead, Roland remains confident in the potential of his players. However, the Brazilian coach understands that if Việt Nam wants to compete with the world’s best in Qatar, technical ability alone will not be enough. Physical strength and endurance could ultimately determine how far the team can go at the FIFA U17 World Cup. — VNS