RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Vietnam’s U-17 coach Cristiano Rocha admitted his team had to quickly adapt after being caught off guard by Indonesia’s defensive approach in a goalless AFF U-17 2026 group-stage clash on Sunday evening, April 19, 2026, in Sidoarjo, East Java.

“I was a bit surprised to see Indonesia just waiting. I thought in the second half they would change strategy, but it stayed the same,” Rocha said after the match at Gelora Delta Stadium in Sidoarjo, East Java, as quoted by Antara.

He explained that Vietnam had initially prepared for high pressing from Indonesia, but the match unfolded differently than expected despite repeated briefings to players.

Despite the unexpected setup, Rocha said his team managed to adjust well, maintain control of the game, and respond intelligently on the field, even if minor mistakes occurred due to the players’ young age.

He also highlighted the importance of support from the coaching staff to maintain players’ confidence during a tightly contested match. “From the sidelines, we always tried to support and boost their confidence so they could perform better in every moment,” he said.

Rocha viewed the draw as a positive result, as it secured a crucial point to maintain Vietnam’s position in the standings. “We managed to secure this one point to stay in a good position. That is very important,” he added.

Vietnam will now shift focus to recovery before facing Australia in the semifinals, which Rocha described as another tough challenge. “We will rest and start preparing. Australia is a strong team, so we must be ready,” he further said.

Meanwhile, Vietnam player Nguyen Huynh Dang Khoa described the match as difficult, particularly due to Indonesia’s disciplined defense. “Tonight’s match was very tough, but we gave our best. We supported each other on the field,” he said, adding that teamwork helped ease pressure during the game.

The AFF U-17 2026 semifinals will see Laos face Malaysia, while Vietnam takes on Australia on April 22, with the final scheduled for April 24. ***