Pivotal: Tambwe Patiyo (left) will be one of Ninh Binh's key players in their AFC Cup clash against Yangon United of Myanmar today. — Photo hff.vn

HA NOI (VNS) — Ninh Binh have completed preparations for their Asian Football Confederation Cup Group G match today against Yangon United of Myanmar.

Both sides won their first round matches, with the visitors topping the group thanks to a superior goal difference.

"We will have the advantage of playing at home, and we will be going out there to win. Three points would be a big step closer to the next round," said coach Nguyen Van Sy of Ninh Binh.

Sy's players are excited about the fixture against Yangon United, where they will encounter many of Myanmar's national team players.

The coach has the option of using foreign players Tambwe Patiyo and Bryan Kavin Elroy during the fixture, as well as naturalised striker Dinh Van Ta who scored a screamer in their 3-1 win over Hong Kong's South China last month.

Boss Hoang Manh Truong of Ninh Binh was really happy after his team's opening win, and awarded cash bonuses to his top five players.

Truong has put up bonuses for all AFC matches, but the details have not been revealed.

Ninh Binh will also be looking to take advantage of the wet weather in the north of the country which is in contrast to the hot weather Yangon is experiencing at the moment.

He believes that the team from Myanmar will struggle to adapt to the change in climate.

However, their rivals are likely to be a force to be reckoned with.

Although they were only established in 2009, Yangon have quickly become the top club in Myanmar, where they have won the domestic league for the past three years.

Their playmakers Kyi Lin and Kyaw Ko Ko are the best strikers in Myanmar's history, and are indispensable members of both the U23 and national squads.

Yangon also have foreign players from Japan and Brazil who contributed to their 5-3 win over Malaysia's Kelantan in the first round match on February 26.

It is the third year Yangon United have qualified for the AFC Cup, and their performances have improved with each campaign. Last year, they reached the last 16 of the competition.

In the other Group G game, Kelantan will entertain South China.

Hosts beaten

Ha Noi T&T of Viet Nam defeated the hosts, Arema Indonesia, in the second round match of the Asian Football Confederation Cup at the Kanjuruhan Stadium in Malang, Indonesia, yesterday.

Marronkle Damian of T&T opened the score after 20minutes. However, seven minutes later, Arema levelled with an 11m penalty by Uruguayan striker Cristian Gonzales.

At the 33rd minute, Damian of Ha Noi T&T scored his double - also from a penalty.

Midfielder Van Quyet made it 3-1 in the last seconds of the game. He scored four goals, leading the list of best scorer.

After two victories, T&T top the ranking in Group F with six points.

At the next round on March 19, the team will play Selangor of Malaysia. — VNS