Vietnam’s U17 team is in a crucial training camp in Hanoi, preparing for the 2025 AFC U17 Championship. Coach Cristiano Roland has called up 34 players, most notably including the Vietnamese-Dutch newcomer, Thomas Mai Veeren.
Focusing on Strength, Preparing for the Crucial Tournament
The core of Vietnam’s U17 team largely consists of players with experience in the 2025 AFC U17 Championship qualifiers and previous training camps. However, Coach Cristiano Roland also wants to integrate newcomers to enhance competitiveness. Thomas Mai Veeren, with his highly-rated talent, is one of the players receiving significant attention.
Thomas Mai Veeren: A Prominent Newcomer
Born in 2008, Thomas Mai Veeren, a Vietnamese-Dutch dual national, currently plays for HV Quick in the Netherlands. In the 2024-2025 season, he delivered impressive performances, scoring 9 goals and providing 4 assists, even achieving a hat-trick. His professional club experience with ADO Den Haag and Feyenoord Rotterdam, along with his time representing the youth teams of the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), promises valuable contributions to the Vietnam U17 team.
However, Thomas’s relatively modest height poses a challenge that needs addressing. In the first training session, Coach Cristiano Roland assessed his skills and noted the need for further observation.
“When I received the video from YouTube, the coaching staff analyzed it together. But we will continue to observe and support him in integrating with the team. Whether this player will contribute to the team or not, we need more time. I will watch him directly in the training session to make comparisons and make the final decision for the squad. I hope Thomas Mai Veeren will bring good things to the team,” shared Coach Cristiano Roland.
Training and Preparation for the Championship
Following the Hanoi training camp, Vietnam’s U17 team will travel to Oman for training from March 23rd to 29th, playing two friendly matches against Oman U17 before heading to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 AFC U17 Championship. In the group stage, Vietnam U17 will face strong opponents like the defending champions Japan, Australia, and the UAE.
Coach Cristiano Roland also stated that the team will focus intensely on each match and strive for the highest possible goals, while maintaining the best possible confidentiality before the tournament. Starting in 2025, the FIFA U17 World Cup will be held annually with 48 teams, with 8 spots reserved for Asian teams. Therefore, the 8 teams advancing to the quarterfinals of the AFC U17 Championship will have the opportunity to qualify for the U17 World Cup.
Vietnam U17 is making every effort to prepare for this crucial tournament, hoping to achieve the best possible result.
