Coach Vu Hong Viet explains why Nam Dinh Blue Steel used foreign players in the win over Ratchaburi

TPO - Nam Dinh Steel Blue defeated Ratchaburi 3-1 in a match that used 11 foreign players (9 starters and 2 substitutes) along with 1 overseas Vietnamese. Coach Vu Hong Viet said that there was a reason for this.

After a 3-1 victory over Ratchaburi and rising to the top of Group F of the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 with Japanese team Gamba Osaka, coach Vu Hong Viet still appeared modest when saying that Nam Dinh Blue Steel was lucky.

"Today's match was really good with high technical quality, when both teams played offensively and contributed beautiful passes," commented the 46-year-old strategist. "However, we were lucky to win and had a good start in the continental arena.

Nam Dinh Green Steel also needs to improve many things. For example, the goal conceded came from subjectivity, when the players lost focus after 3 goals scored. No player intervened or came very slowly to block the cross from the sideline. We will have to improve to limit similar goals conceded, and at the same time improve our physical strength, because in the last minutes my players had many opportunities to counterattack but perhaps they were tired and let the situation pass unfortunately."

Explaining the recruitment of many foreign players, then launching a starting lineup with 9 foreign players, 1 overseas Vietnamese and only 1 domestic player, coach Vu Hong Viet said: "Nam Dinh Blue Steel must compete on 4 fronts this season, so we need a squad with depth. Moreover, we do not have a strong enough domestic force, so we have to fill in with foreign players.

We have taken advantage of the fact that AFC Champions Two does not limit foreign players to focus on strengthening foreign players. However, I will have calculations for each match and each opponent to maintain balance and every player can maximize their ability."

According to coach Vu Hong Viet, all the players played hard and well in today's match. The names he highly appreciated include Caio Cesar, Percy Tau, Mitchell Dijks and Brenner. "As for Percy Tau, if he continues to play well like today, I will think about using him in the V.League," he said.

Caio Cesar, who was voted Man of the Match, said: "I am very happy with the goal I scored. I have adapted to a new, more offensive position. Besides, my teammates and I are happy with the result and hope this will be the motivation for us to go further.

We controlled the game well and converted our chances into goals. As for Percy, he showed the class of a great player and his participation will help the team a lot in pursuing high goals in all competitions. I feel lucky to play with Percy."

Source: https://tienphong.vn/hlv-vu-hong-viet-giai-explanation-tai-sao-thep-xanh-nam-dinh-su-dung-dan-cau-thu-ngoai-trong-tran-thang-ratchaburi-post1779114.tpo