In a gripping encounter at the AFC U17 Asian Cup on April 8, 2025, the U-17 Japan national team faced a surprising challenge from Vietnam, ultimately resulting in a 1-1 draw. Japan, who had previously secured a convincing 4-1 victory against UAE in their opening match, entered this game with confidence and a clear objective: to clinch a spot in the knockout stage by winning against Vietnam.
The atmosphere was electric as the match kicked off, with Japan quickly establishing control of the ball. Their strategy was evident from the start, focusing on building up play and breaking through Vietnam's defenses. However, Vietnam was not to be underestimated. They applied a high press and utilized long balls effectively, showcasing their own attacking capabilities.
Japan's first significant chance came in the 11th minute when Fujii unleashed a powerful shot from distance that just sailed over the bar. This early attempt set the tone for Japan's offensive mindset. By the 13th minute, their efforts paid off when Yoshida scored with a well-placed header following a corner kick taken by Himeyo. This goal marked Yoshida's third of the tournament, and Japan was off to a promising start, leading 1-0.
Despite Japan's lead, Vietnam responded with determination. They began to exploit gaps in Japan's defense, launching counterattacks that kept the Japanese players on their toes. The first half saw Japan creating several more opportunities, including a near miss from Yoshida in the 42nd minute, whose shot was saved by Vietnam's goalkeeper.
As the second half began, Japan's head coach Hiroyama Nozomu made tactical changes, substituting Kamo for Kobayashi in hopes of shifting the momentum in their favor. Vietnam, however, was equally aggressive, pushing forward and taking more shots at goal, including a fierce strike from Longnan that was parried away by Japan's goalkeeper Vincent.
Japan continued to struggle to find their rhythm in the attack, leading to further substitutions as they sought to inject fresh energy into their game. Tanaka came on for Nagato in the 63rd minute, and Kato replaced Kashiwa in the 70th minute, but the Japanese attack still lacked the clear-cut chances they needed to extend their lead.
In a dramatic turn of events during stoppage time, Japan seemed poised to secure a victory when a defensive error led to a penalty being awarded to Vietnam. The foul occurred when Vincent hesitated while dealing with a long ball, allowing Chan Gia Bao to be brought down in the box. The Vietnamese forward calmly converted the penalty, leveling the score at 1-1 and sending shockwaves through the Japanese camp.
The final whistle blew shortly after the equalizer, leaving Japan frustrated after what seemed to be a certain win. The draw means that Japan must now secure a result against Australia in their final group match to guarantee their progression to the knockout stages of the tournament.
With this result, Japan remains at the top of Group B with 4 points, while Vietnam sits in second place with 2 points. The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion to the group stage, where both teams will look to secure their spots in the quarter-finals of the AFC U17 Asian Cup.
Match Summary:
U-17 Vietnam 1 - 1 U-17 Japan
Goals:
Vietnam: Chan Gia Bao (51' Penalty)
Japan: Yoshida Minami (13')
Japan's lineup included: GK Vincent, DF Shimosaki, Kuwahara, Fujii, MF Nagato, Noko, Kamada, Himeyo, MF Yoshida, Kato, FW Asada. Key substitutions saw Tanaka and Kato introduced to inject pace and creativity into the game.
The upcoming match against Australia will be critical for Japan, as they aim to maintain their status as defending champions and secure a spot in the FIFA U-17 World Cup later this year in Qatar.
