3 draws, 3 goals, 3 losses, 3 points, U17 Vietnam ranked last in Group B of the U17 Asian Cup finals. If we only look at the parameters, of course not enough, but look at what coach Cristiano Roland and his team have shown against U17 Australia, U17 Japan or U17 UAE, we will see a story of maturity, of tactical thinking shaped early.
There is no need to be experts who understand deeply, widely, many people feel different, many factors are enough to move those who care about the long journey of home football. At the hands of the Brazilian coach, the 16 -year -old boys not only follow the ball and the opponent as many imagers. They control space, organize, build how to escape pressing, confident when there is a ball and deploy.
There are still difficult times, still thanks to luck, but the attitude and mindset of daring to play, daring to control, daring to keep up against the top football teams in the continent are worth noting. Coach Roland said that it was thanks to VFF creating the best conditions, or the efforts of the players, but it must also be seen that confidence cannot come after just a period of concentration. The role of a foreign coach with an academic background and practical experience is huge.
It can be understood that working with quality foreign teachers early on not only helps young players understand modern football standards, but also trains decision-making skills, tactical thinking and professional living habits - something that Vietnamese youth football has long lacked.
Therefore, if possible, right from the U levels, Vietnamese football should help young players be "asked" with thinking, philosophy, methods, and professionalism from foreign coaches, who know how to put players at the center of development. Water from the sprouts, do not have to wait until they bloom to water.
That could open up another future for Vietnamese football, with generations being nurtured by teachers who know how to combine typical Asian personal techniques with the organization and science of European and Latin American football.
