Before the departure day, the U16 Vietnam team had a practice match with U17 Viettel to review the force, evaluate the overall playing style, and complete the list of players to register to participate in this international tournament.
After the training session, the coaching staff finalized the list of 24 players, saying goodbye to 6 faces including: goalkeeper Vu Duy Anh, defenders Le Nguyen Khanh, Nguyen Bao Nam, midfielder Tran Ngoc Son, Bui Gia Huan and Phan Anh Luc.
Sharing about the personnel decision, head coach Cristiano Roland said: The official list finalization stage is always the most difficult. The coaching staff must select from a group of quality players and find those who are most suitable for the team's playing style.
Up to this point, the whole team has performed very well. However, this is just the beginning of the long journey towards the 2026 U17 Asian qualifiers. Players who are not on the list still have many opportunities ahead.
According to the plan, U16 Vietnam will have 2 more days of training, getting used to the weather conditions in Inner Mongolia (China) before entering the opening match against U16 Australia on May 28.
The next two matches of coach Cristiano Roland and his team will take place on May 30 against China U16 and on June 1 against Saudi Arabia U16.
Evaluating the 2025 CFA Team China U16 International Tournament, coach Cristiano Roland emphasized: This is the first test for the new generation of players. The three opponents in the tournament are all very strong, so the requirements for competition attitude and spirit for U16 Vietnam will be pushed to the maximum.
These three matches are also an opportunity for the players to clearly understand where they are compared to Asia. The team will make the best use of the matches to compete and accumulate experience towards the important goal ahead, the 2026 U17 Asian qualifiers".
In order to provide timely guidance and best support for the team's activities during their stay and competition in Inner Mongolia, the Standing Committee of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has appointed Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau - Deputy General Secretary of VFF as Head of the Vietnam U16 team to participate in the 2025 CFA Team China tournament.
