Goals: Becvinovski 10′ (Australia); Manh Cuong 45’+4, Nguyen Luc 60′ (Vietnam)
At Gelora Delta Stadium, both teams entered the match unbeaten and without conceding a goal in the group stage. Vietnam had scored 14 goals in the tournament, one fewer than Australia.
Australia made a strong start and took the lead in the 10th minute when Luke Becvinovski finished a well-constructed move with a left-footed strike into the top corner.
Vietnam responded by gradually gaining control through their attacking players. Despite creating several openings, they initially struggled to convert chances.
In the 37th minute, Vietnam were awarded a penalty after Le Sy Bach went down under a challenge from Oliver O’Carroll.
However, the decision was overturned following a VAR review, with replays indicating O’Carroll had made contact with the ball first.
Vietnamese players celebrate the equalizer by Nguyen Manh Cuong (number 3) in the ASEAN U17 Championship semifinal with Australia in Gelora Delta Stadium in Indonesia, April 22, 2026. Photo by Read/Doan Huynh |
Vietnam found an equalizer in first-half stoppage time.
After a VAR review, referee Yusuke Ohashi awarded a penalty following a foul on Bach’s teammate Tran Hoang Viet inside the box.
Although Nguyen Luc’s effort struck the post, Nguyen Manh Cuong converted the rebound to make it 1-1.
The match remained physical, with a series of cautions issued before half-time, including a yellow card for Vietnamese defender Nguyen Huynh Dang Khoa.
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Vietnam’s midfielder Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc (number 10) plays in their 2-1 victory over Australia in the ASEAN U17 Championship semifinal in Gelora Delta Stadium in Indonesia, April 22, 2026. Photo by Read/Doan Huynh |
Vietnam continued to press after the break and took the lead in the 60th minute. From a free-kick on the right, a low passing combination inside the box found Nguyen Luc, who finished from close range to make it 2-1.
The goal followed a familiar pattern for Vietnam in the tournament, having previously scored from similar set-piece routines in matches against Malaysia and Timor Leste.
In the closing stages, Vietnam adopted a more defensive approach while looking to counterattack.
Australia pushed for an equalizer but were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time after Marcus Savic received a straight red card for a late challenge.
ASEAN U17 Championship semifinal: Vietnam 2-1 Australia
The result sees Vietnam level their head-to-head record against Australia in the tournament, with both sides now having three wins each in previous meetings. It also marks Vietnam’s second consecutive victory over Australia in a semi-final, following their 2-0 win in 2017.
Vietnam have now reached the semi-finals six times in 10 appearances at the competition, winning three titles in 2006, 2010 and 2017.
In the final on April 24, Vietnam will face Malaysia, who defeated Laos 3-0. Australia will meet Laos in the third-place play-off.
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