Football
Hải Phòng players in action in a match against PSM Makassar of Indonesia at the AFC Cup. Hải Phòng will play Hougang United of Singapore on Decemeber 14 night. Photo onsports.vn
HẢI PHÒNG — Hải Phòng FC looks to take three points against Hougang United to leave the AFC Cup with a head held high.
The host side will play their Singaporean rival at the Lạch Tray Stadium on December 14 night in the last Group H match.
Hải Phòng have been ousted from the tournament after the previous round when they could not take a win against PSM Makassar of Indonesia on November 30.
Hải Phòng are in second place with seven points after five matches.
Hougang also end their hope to the next round as the bottom-placed team earning three points.
In their first meet in early October, Hải Phòng were defeated 1-2 at the Jalan Besar.
Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm of Hải Phòng said he would not have Haiitian centre-back Bicou Bissainthe because of bookings, for the match but the Vietnamese side would have suitable plans for the absence.
"The defeat was an accident. It was partly due to our key players could not compete and Jalan Besar's ground was not really good," said Nghiêm at the press conference on December 13.
"Now, we are confident on home soil and will take three points in a good game to entertain our supporters.
"Although Hải Phòng could not go further in this AFC Cup this is still an important match for us. We will be focused and try to have highest result," he said.
On the other side, coach Marko Kralijevic of Hougang United said his team were also stopped at the Cup but would fight hard for the pride of Singapore football.
The upcoming match would be a chance for his young players to shine. Hougang would play with a team of youngsters
"Hải Phòng have strong forwards but we will have our way to limit their scoring ability,” said Kralijevic.
In other match of the group, Sabah FC of Malaysia will host PSM Makassar at the Likas Stadium.
Sabah have already qualified for the next stage as the leader of the group with 12 points. Makassar are at third with seven points and a win on away ground would only help them to improve their position in case Hải Phòng could not beat Hougang in a game held at the same time. VNS
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