VIETNAM CHASE BACK TO BACK TITLES

The defending champion, which emerged winners in a four-team meet a year ago, will be out to make sure that they can successfully defend their title in Group B of the tournament.

But their job will be made a little easier following the withdrawal of Timor Leste who could not make the trip, where now they need only to overcome Myanmar, Singapore and Laos.

Vietnam, whose Under-20 side won the AFF U20 title recently after beating Malaysia 1-0 in the final in Ho Chi Minh City, are in a confident mood.

“We did not have a long time to train together – perhaps around two weeks – but I’m confident that we can make the semi-finals,” said Vietnam U17 head coach Dinh Hong Vinh.

Vietnam will open their campaign in the AFF U17 championship against Singapore on August 20.