"We will strive forthe semis first before working harder for the final," coach Nguyen QuocTuan said.
Vietnam are in GroupA with Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines. Group B gathersThailand, Timor Leste, Laos and Brunei. Meanwhile, Malaysia will defend itstitle in Group C against Australia, Myanmar and Cambodia.
The top team of eachgroup and one best second-place squad will advance to the last four. The finalis planned for August 13.
"My players are thebest from the National U17 Championship. They have been training for nearly onemonth since June 30. We have prepared for them in both fitness and tactics andhad three friendly matches. They are ready for the tournament," saidTuan who left for Indonesia with his men on July 27.
Vietnam will first playSingapore on July 31 at the Sultan Agung Stadium in Bantul.
Vietnam and Thailand arethe two most successful teams in the tournament with three triumphs each.
The competition is awarm-up for teams who will play in the 2023 Asian U17 Championship'squalification in October./.