AFC U19: Vietnam enter semifinals, securing World Cup berth

Vietnam beat hosts Bahrain 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Football Championship to reach the semifinals, securing a berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
AFC U19: Vietnam enter semifinals, securing World Cup berth ảnh 1Defender Doan Van Hau of Vietnam's U19 team vies for the ball with a Bahraini player in a quarterfinal game in which Vietnam won 1-0. (Source: AFC)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam beat hosts Bahrain 1-0 in the quarterfinals of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Under-19 Football Championship to reach the semifinals, securing a berth at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Vietnamese striker Tran Thanh beat Bahraini goalkeeper Yusuf Habib in the 72nd minute to secure the win.

Bahrain dominated the first half but squandered several chances. Vietnam upped their game in the second half, producing some good opportunities before Thanh scored.

The win marked a historic double for the U19 team by reaching the semifinals of an AFC football competition for the first time and by qualifying for the FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will take place in the Republic of Korea in 2017, for the first time.

Vietnam will face either Japan or Tajikistan in the last four, with the two sides meeting in the quarterfinals on October 24.

Earlier, in the group stage, Vietnam beat the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea 2-1 and drew with the United Arab Emirates and Iraq, grabbing five points and second place in Group B.

“What can I say? The victory is extraordinary and I’m so happy and proud of what our players displayed,” Vietnam’s U19 team head coach Hoang Anh Tuan said in a post-match interview.

“In modern football, strategy is the most important thing and we searched for every bit of information on Bahrain to break them down. I know that Bahrain’s problems lie in fitness and after around 70 minutes, they often lose strength and make mistakes, this was the time for us to attack and look for goals. Everything happened exactly that way.

“This is the result of long-term preparation, not just 90 minutes on the pitch. To build a team with resilience and concentration, a lot of time is needed. Fighting spirit is our advantage. Everyone saw how much our players put into the game,” Tuan said.

FIFA immediately sent congratulations to the U19 Vietnam.-VNA

VNA

See more

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and overseas Vietnamese in Singapore at the Chingay Parade 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese in Singapore join Chingay Parade 2025

The Vietnamese community in Singapore showcased culinary delights such as pho (noodle soup with beef or chicken), banh mi (bread), and banh trang (rice paper) at the Chingay Parade 2025 on February 7-8.

Khmer traditional musical equipment handed over to Khmer traditional music clubs and groups. (Photo: VNA)

Soc Trang works to preserve ethnic minorities’ culture

The Party Committee and People's Committee of Soc Trang province where more than 35% of total population are ethnic minorities have always paid attention to preserving and promoting the traditional values of local ethnic minorities.

A performance programme at a Nguyen Tieu petry night event in 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Ninh Binh to host Vietnam Poetry Day 2025

The 23rd Vietnam Poetry Day will bring together poets born during the resistance wars against the US imperialists, after 1975, during the “Doi moi” (renewal) process until 2000, and after 2000.

Singer My Linh performs at the concert. (Photo: VNA)

“New Year Concert 2025” held in Hanoi

The “New Year Concert 2025” took place at the Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi on February 5, presenting a mix of famous Vietnamese songs and timeless foreign classical masterpieces

Vietnamese students of Osaka University take a group photo at the Vietnamese Culture Day in Japan programme (Photo: VNA)

Tokyo event honours Vietnamese language, culture

The Vietnamese Culture Day in Japan programme took place in Tokyo on February 4, featuring a array of captivating performances, including Vietnamese poetry readings, traditional songs, and a theatrical adaptation of the folk tale Tam Cam.

The Muong ethnic women at the Khai ha festival (Photo: VNA)

Traditional festivals mark Lunar New Year celebrations

Thousands gathered for the Khai ha (going down to the field) festival, the largest traditional one of the Muong ethnic people, in Phong Phu commune, Tan Lac district, Hoa Binh province on the 8th day of the Lunar New Year.

People attend activities within the framework of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day on April 18, 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Hung Kings Commemoration Day contributes to promoting heritage

The events aim to educate the tradition of patriotism and gratitude to the Hung Kings and ancestors who contributed to building and protecting the nation; as well as contribute to popularising tourism and local cultural heritage towards promoting tourism and economic development in the province.

The Mother Au Co Temple Festival opens in Hien Luong commune, Ha Hoa district, Phu Tho province, with a ritual honouring the guardian deity at the local communal house. (Photo: VNA)

Spring festivals open in HCM City, Phu Tho

The “Khai ha - Cau an” Festival in Ho Chi Minh City and another dedicated to Mother Au Co in the northern province of Phu Tho, both named as national intangible cultural heritage, opened on February 4.