Hà Nội FC will host Tampires Rovers in the last Group F round match today at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium. The V.League 1 winner need one point to qualify for next stage. — Photo kenh14.vn
HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội FC and Becamex Bình Dương desperately need points in the final group games of the AFC Cup to progress through to the next round.
Hà Nội need a point to finish second Group F when they host leaders Tampines Rovers of Singapore. A win would see them qualify in top spot.
Becamex face a tougher task. They must beat Group G leaders Ceres Negros by at least two goals in Bacolod City, Philippines.
Speaking with reporters yesterday in Hà Nội coach Chu Đình Nghiêm said his team would go all out for a win..
“We have worked carefully for the match which is really important one that affects our chances,” said Nghiêm.
“We want a win so that we could advance as the group leaders.”
The match is a good opportunity for Nghiêm’s squad to bounce back after their humiliating 1-4 defeat to Thanh Hoá in the V.League 1 on Sunday. It was the Hà Nội’s first loss of the season to a team who have not won in their last eight games.
“I told players that there are wins and losses in football,” Nghiêm added.
“We could not avoid defeat. We must stand up and look forward to the future. Let’s forget about that match and play to win at the AFC Cup.”
Hà Nội will be without key defender Đỗ Duy Mạnh who suffered a knee injury on Sunday.
Other players such as captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết and striker Ngân Văn Đại will also not feature as they have not recovered from their injuries.
Visiting coach Kadir Yahaya said his team will not be playing for a point and will go all out for victory.
Meanwhile captain Madhu Mohana believed that Hà Nội FC were a good team who were in good shape.
“They created many difficulties for us in the first match,” Mohana said.
“Their midfielder Nguyễn Quang Hải is a player with good skills. He could make the difference during the match.”
In their first meeting Hà Nội tied 1-1 in Singapore in March.
In other match of the group, Yangon United will host Cambodia’s Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium. Neither team can qualify for the groupo stages.
In Group G, Bình Dương sit in second place and must beat group leaders Ceres Negros to go through.
“We are ready for the match,” said coach Nguyễn Thanh Sơn.
“Players are full of energy are ready to play their best.”
In the first match the three-time V.League winners Bình Dương lost 1-3 at home on a bad night for goalkeeper Bùi Tấn Trường who made a terrible mistake.
In other game, Persija Jakarta of Indonesia will entertain Shan United from Myanmar at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, in Jakarta.
The last group round will see for the first time in history of Asian football the all-female referee crew taking charge of a match.
Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and her assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi are aasigned to officiate the match between Yangon United FC and Naga World.
Female assistant referees Kim Kyoung-min and Lee Seul-gi will also work in the match between Ceres Negros and Bình Dương alongside male referee Kim Dae-yong. — VNS
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