Vietnam U17 Lose to FC Seoul U18: Lessons from Training Camp Ahead of AFC U17 Asian Cup

Within the framework of a training camp from October 19 to 29 in South Korea, Vietnam U17 lost to FC Seoul U18 in their first friendly match. The defeat was not unexpected, but how the team performed is worth discussing. The second match between the two teams will take place on October 26, before Vietnam U17 departs for the UAE to compete in the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals.

Context: A carefully calculated training camp

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) arranged a 10-day training camp in South Korea, with two friendly matches against FC Seoul U18. This is the final preparation step before the team flies to the UAE. According to the schedule, Vietnam U17 will be in the UAE before the opening of the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals to acclimatize to the weather and pitch conditions.

Choosing FC Seoul U18 as a friendly opponent shows that VFF wants to create a challenge that exceeds the team in terms of physicality and speed. Korean teams at this age group are known for their high-pressing, close-marking style and quick transitions. These are the factors that Vietnam U17 will face in the Asian group stage, where opponents like Japan, South Korea, or Australia always maintain high intensity.

However, this defeat must be placed in the right context. Vietnam U17 was missing some key players due to injury and was still in the experimentation phase. The head coach used various personnel options in the second half, something he could hardly do in an official match. The goal of the training camp is to test the players' adaptability against stronger opponents, not to win friendly matches.

Professional analysis: Weaknesses exposed after the defeat

Data from the match shows that Vietnam U17 had significantly less ball possession than their opponents. The young players struggled to build up play from their own half under the pressing of FC Seoul U18. This is a systemic issue, not an individual error. When subjected to high pressing, Vietnam U17's midfield tends to play long balls over the top instead of holding possession and combining in short passes. This leads to a high turnover rate in the middle third.

I have followed many matches of Vietnamese youth teams over the past three decades and have noticed a recurring pattern: Vietnamese young players have good individual technique but lack decision-making ability under pressure. The defeat to FC Seoul U18 is a typical example. In the first half, Vietnam U17 had moments of good possession but did not create clear chances. In the second half, as the opponent increased their pressing, the team gradually lost structure and exposed gaps on both flanks.

A positive point is that Vietnam U17's defense stayed focused for most of the match. The goalkeeper made several important saves, and the center-backs showed good reading of situations in aerial duels. However, their ability to pass from the back is still limited. When pressed, the center-backs often choose the safe option of passing back to the goalkeeper or clearing the ball upfield, instead of finding penetrating passes to break the opponent's defensive structure.

Physically, Vietnam U17 showed signs of fatigue in the last 20 minutes. This is understandable as the players had just gone through a heavy training phase and were adapting to the high intensity of playing in South Korea. However, this is also an issue that needs to be resolved before entering the Asian tournament, where matches can last 90 minutes with no drop in intensity.

Contrarian view: Don't rush to conclusions from a friendly

There is a familiar trend in Vietnamese media: after every defeat of a youth team, analysts raise concerns about the quality of training. The loss to FC Seoul U18 has generated similar comments. But we need to look at the bigger picture.

Vietnam U17 is in the preparation phase for the AFC U17 Asian Cup finals, where they will face opponents of a different caliber. The friendly against FC Seoul U18, a team stronger in physicality and with more international experience, is an opportunity for the head coach to test tactical options without the pressure of results. If Vietnam U17 had won this match, the media would probably have praised them, but the lessons learned would have been far fewer.

One notable point is that FC Seoul U18 is not an easy opponent for any youth team. Korean teams at this age group typically have superior physical foundations and are well-coached tactically. Vietnam U17 losing does not mean they will lose in the Asian tournament. On the contrary, the experience of facing a stronger opponent will help the young players better understand their limits and what needs to be improved.

I have witnessed many Vietnamese youth teams suffer heavy defeats in friendlies but then perform well in official tournaments. In 2026, the Vietnam U19 team lost several friendlies before the Asian tournament but then reached the quarter-finals. The lesson is not to overvalue friendly results, especially during the preparation phase.

However, the issues exposed by this defeat should not be underestimated. The ability to withstand pressing and build up play from the back are inherent weaknesses of Vietnamese youth football. If not addressed, they will become an Achilles heel in the Asian tournament, where opponents like Japan or South Korea will exploit them to the fullest.

Takeaway: Looking ahead

The second friendly against FC Seoul U18 on October 26 will be an opportunity for Vietnam U17 to fix their mistakes. The head coach may change his approach, focusing on improving ball retention and group coordination under pressure. The result of this match will show whether the lessons from the first defeat have been absorbed.

The most important thing now is for Vietnam U17 to maintain their confidence. Losing a friendly is not a disaster. But if the young players let this defeat affect their mentality, that is the real problem. VFF and the coaching staff need to ensure that the players clearly understand the goal of the training camp is to learn and develop, not to win at all costs.

When Vietnam U17 departs for the UAE, they will carry the lessons from South Korea with them. Will those lessons be enough to help them get through the group stage? The answer will come once the ball rolls. But one thing is certain: the defeat to FC Seoul U18, painful as it is, is a necessary part of the growth process of any youth team.