In a strategic move, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has appointed Ikeuchi, a highly experienced Japanese football coach, as the technical supervisor of the Vietnam U17 team for the upcoming AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 finals in Saudi Arabia.
Ikeuchi, a former Japanese national team player from 1981 to 1985, brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role. Born in 1961 in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, he has had a distinguished career in Japanese football, both as a player and a coach.
Following his retirement from professional football, Ikeuchi seamlessly transitioned into coaching, making significant contributions to the development of the sport in his country. One of his notable achievements includes serving as the director of the Japan Football Association (JFA) Men’s Football Academy, a role that allowed him to shape the future of Japanese football by mentoring the next generation of players.
Ikeuchi also has an impressive resume when it comes to national team coaching. He has held the position of head coach for Japan’s national U15, U16, and U17 teams, fostering the talent of young players and guiding them on their journey to represent their country.
Most recently, he served as head coach of the JFA Fukushima U15 Academy and director of Wyvern Football Club, further emphasizing his commitment to youth development and his impact on the grassroots level of the game.
Ikeuchi is the holder of the esteemed JFA Class S Coach certification, which speaks volumes about his qualifications for professional team and player training. His involvement in the JFA’s technical and women’s football committees further showcases his diverse skill set and contribution to the administrative aspect of the sport.
With Ikeuchi’s appointment, the VFF aims to elevate the Vietnam U17 team’s performance by incorporating advanced training methods. The goal is to help the team achieve strong results in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 finals and secure a spot in the U17 World Cup 2025, which has now expanded to include 48 teams, with eight spots allocated for Asian teams.
The AFC U17 Asian Cup 2025 finals, set to take place from April 3 to 20 in Saudi Arabia, presents a challenging yet exciting opportunity for the Vietnam U17 team. They are placed in Group B, alongside powerhouses like defending champions Japan, Australia, and the UAE.
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| General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation, Nguyen Van Phu (R), and Japanese technical director, Takeshi Koshida, following his contract extension in Hanoi on February 12, 2025. Photo: Vietnam Football Federation |
As the team gears up for the tournament, their preparations will be guided by Brazilian coach Cristiano Roland, with whom the VFF is finalizing a contract. Training is set to commence in early March, giving the team ample time to strategize and build cohesion.
Additionally, the VFF has demonstrated its commitment to long-term development by extending the contract of Takeshi Koshida, the VFF technical director, through 2025. Koshida, born in 1960 in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, has been instrumental in implementing Vietnam’s football development strategy, with a particular focus on coaching education at the youth level.
VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu underscored the importance of Koshida’s contract extension, highlighting how it aligns with the federation’s vision for the future of Vietnamese football. Since joining the VFF in June 2023, Koshida has been instrumental in organizing 16 AFC coach training courses, evaluating Vietnamese football instructors, and conducting seminars to ensure that local coaches remain abreast of global football trends.
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