CHINA — Following their 0-3 defeat against the China U17 women’s team in Group A of the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup in Suzhou on Monday, Việt Nam U17 head coach Masahiko Okiyama acknowledged his players’ efforts while also identifying areas for improvement.

According to the Japanese coach, despite facing a higher-ranked opponent, the Vietnamese team showed a positive fighting spirit and maintained cohesion in their play.

“The players put in a great effort and maintained team spirit. I am satisfied with what the whole team showed,” Okiyama said.

Regarding the challenges in the match, Okiyama attributed the physical disparity to Việt Nam’s disadvantage, particularly in set-piece situations. He added that China’s players were superior in speed, passing power, and finishing, which created sustained pressure throughout the game.

Despite the loss, Okiyama still saw positive signs, noting that the players largely carried out the tactical plan correctly and remained united.

“The important thing is that the whole team played according to the plan. However, the ability to transition from defense to counter-attack after winning the ball is still limited and needs improvement,” he added.

Looking ahead to Việt Nam’s final group-stage match against Myanmar on May 7, Okiyama said the coaching staff will prioritise physical recovery for players who have played continuously, while also ensuring those who have not had match time prepare as well as possible. He affirmed that the entire team will focus fully on this crucial encounter.

Việt Nam currently has one point after two matches and can still secure a quarter-final spot if they defeat Myanmar. — VNS