On October 21, Vietnam’s U17 team played a friendly against FC Seoul’s U18 side in South Korea. The match is important because it shows how a single game can help the team prepare for the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup.

Vietnam U17 lost 4-1. The Korean side had advantages in height, physical strength and fitness, and Vietnam struggled to convert chances. Tran Manh Quan scored the only Vietnamese goal from the penalty spot.

Head coach Cristiano Roland used the match to experiment with line‑ups, assess the squad and refine tactics ahead of the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup. The coaching staff gained useful insights into the team’s tactical organization and players’ ability to cope with high‑intensity opposition. A second friendly is scheduled for October 26.

The friendly gave the coaches clear ideas about strengths and weaknesses. By testing line‑ups and tactics now, Vietnam can work on the needed improvements before the tournament.