Vietnam coach Nguyen Quoc Tuan (right) talks to his U16 players before training. Vietnam will compete at the AFF U16 Youth Championship from July 31-August 13 in Indonesia. (Photo of VFF)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam
are targeting a berth in the semi-finals at least at the AFF U16 Youth
Championship, which will begin on July 31 in Indonesia.
“We will strive for
the semis first before working harder for the final,” coach Nguyen Quoc
Tuan said.
Vietnam are in Group
A with Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines. Group B gathers
Thailand, Timor Leste, Laos and Brunei. Meanwhile, Malaysia will defend its
title in Group C against Australia, Myanmar and Cambodia.
The top team of each
group and one best second-place squad will advance to the last four. The final
is planned for August 13.
“My players are the
best from the National U17 Championship. They have been training for nearly one
month since June 30. We have prepared for them in both fitness and tactics and
had three friendly matches. They are ready for the tournament,” said
Tuan who left for Indonesia with his men on July 27.
Vietnam will first play
Singapore on July 31 at the Sultan Agung Stadium in Bantul.
Vietnam and Thailand are
the two most successful teams in the tournament with three triumphs each.
The competition is a
warm-up for teams who will play in the 2023 Asian U17 Championship’s
qualification in October./.
VNA
