Thai fans erupt in reaction as Vietnam advances to the AFF Cup semifinals

The draw against U17 Indonesia still secured U17 Vietnam's ticket to the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 semifinals, sparking notable waves of reaction from Thai fans.

Right from the first half, U17 Vietnam demonstrated dominance in the match situation. The red-shirted team maintained good ball control thanks to a flexible midfield, continuously pressing the opponent. In the 5th minute, Van Duong unleashed a dangerous long-range shot from nearly 30 meters, forcing the Indonesian goalkeeper to make a difficult save. By the 8th minute, the same player made another impact with a breakthrough and a cross for Minh Thuy to finish close to the goal, unfortunately the opportunity slipped away. Throughout the remainder of the half, U17 Vietnam sustained heavy pressure, forcing Indonesia to retreat into deep defense. However, a goal still did not arrive and the two teams left the pitch with a 0-0 score.

The second half saw U17 Vietnam continue to control the match situation and create numerous dangerous opportunities early on, but the finishing touches still lacked sharpness to convert into goals. Meanwhile, U17 Indonesia had to push their formation higher when facing the risk of elimination, yet they encountered difficulties in ball control and inaccurate handling situations. Despite playing more effortfully in the latter part of the match, the home team appeared stumped against U17 Vietnam's tight play, thus concluding the match with a 0-0 draw.

After the match, many Thai fans expressed admiration for U17 Vietnam's performance. One fan commented: “U17 Vietnam played very tightly and disciplined, they completely controlled Indonesia. This is a team very difficult to defeat.”

Another opinion stated: “Vietnamese youth football is developing very rapidly, while Thailand shows signs of stagnation. Watching their play makes me worried for us.”

A fan remarked: “If Thailand advances to the next round and meets U17 Vietnam, I think the chance of winning is not high. Their attack is very diverse and effective.”

Another supporter shared: “Vietnam's youth generations are progressing increasingly. From the U23 at SEA Games, the Asian U23, and now the Southeast Asian U17, they all perform very impressively.”

There was even a frank opinion: “Indonesia almost had no chance against Vietnam. The difference in level is too clear.”

This draw not only secured U17 Vietnam's ticket to the semifinals but also affirmed the increasingly solid position of Vietnamese youth football in the Southeast Asian region. With their current form, Coach Roland and his team are expected to advance further and compete for the championship. According to the schedule, the 2026 Southeast Asian U17 semifinals will take place at 15:30 and 19:30 on April 22, promising to deliver exciting contests.