Vietnam's under-17 national team lost 4-1 to FC Seoul's under-18 side on the morning of 21 October, Korean time, in the first practice match of their training camp in South Korea. According to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the only Vietnamese goal came from a Trần Mạnh Quân penalty, while coach Cristiano Roland used the game to test a wide range of line-ups ahead of the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026.

A test of personnel, not a result

The VFF said Roland, a Brazilian according to Dân Trí, rotated heavily and gave almost every squad member minutes at different stages of the match. Facing older opponents with a clear physical edge, Vietnam kept trying to build through combinations but failed to make the most of the chances they created.

The goal came from a move through the middle: Trần Ngọc Sơn broke through, was fouled in the box, and Mạnh Quân converted the spot kick with Vietnam two goals down. Thanh Niên reported that the hosts then scored twice more. The federation framed the game as a source of technical data on tactics, coordination between lines and how individual players cope with high-intensity opposition.

Opponents with an Asian club connection

Thanh Niên noted that FC Seoul's first team is playing in the AFC Champions League Two, Asia's second-tier club competition. KBVN+ data show Seoul in Group E alongside Vietnamese club Thể Công - Viettel, who host them at Hàng Đẫy Stadium on 28 October at 19:15 Vietnam time (match page). After two rounds Persib lead the group with 6 points, Thể Công - Viettel have 1 and Seoul 0.

The road to Qatar

Tuổi Trẻ reported that the Korea camp runs from 19 to 29 October. The squad then returns home, flies to the UAE on 6 November and moves on to Qatar for the World Cup, with friendlies against Fiji and Saudi Arabia planned in the region. Thanh Niên said a further practice match against South Korea's U17 team is expected on 28 October.

At the finals Vietnam are in Group G with Belgium, New Zealand and Mali. The 12 group winners and runners-up, plus the eight best third-placed teams, reach the round of 32. Tuổi Trẻ described Fiji as stylistically similar to New Zealand, which makes that friendly a useful rehearsal.

What comes next

The VFF said the second practice match, against Cheonan City FC's U18 team, is scheduled for 26 October. Read our earlier report on the start of the Korea camp and follow all national teams on our Vietnam national teams page.