Nam Dinh seeks victory, Hanoi police determined to create surprise

In the past, the AFC Champions League was often beyond the reach of V-League teams. But in recent years, with investment in human resources and recruitment of high-class foreign players, Vietnam's top football clubs are no longer afraid of the continental arena.

Affirming position

After two consecutive V-League titles, Nam Dinh FC has set high goals in the international arena. This season, the team from the South will participate in four tournaments, including the Southeast Asian Cup C1 and AFC Champions League Two. Coach Vu Hong Viet's team has recruited many high-quality foreign players, ready to aim to advance deep into the playground of Asia's top clubs.

Nam Định tìm chiến thắng, Công an Hà Nội quyết tạo bất ngờ- Ảnh 1. — Nam Dinh (center) aims to win the opening match of the AFC Champions League Two group stage (Photo: QUOC AN)

Nam Dinh fell into group F, along with Gamba Osaka (Japan), Ratchaburi (Thailand) and Eastern Sports Club (Hong Kong - China). In the opening match, the reigning V-League champions have home field advantage when hosting Ratchaburi at 7:15 p.m. on September 17.

This match is considered an opportunity for Nam Dinh to assert their position in the continental arena, although they are facing many challenges in terms of performance and strength. Nam Dinh had a bad start in the V-League 2025-2026. After losing to Hanoi Police in the National Super Cup, the home team at Thien Truong Stadium only won 2, drew 1 after 4 matches played in this V-League. Notably, Nam Dinh's opponents in this period are not highly rated, even most of them are only average and weak.

The reason why coach Vu Hong Viet and his team are slow to get into the rhythm is because the new players have not reached optimal physical condition and have difficulty integrating. In addition, many key players have not been able to return to play after persistent injuries. Without Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Van Toan, the scoring efficiency of Nam Dinh Club's attack has clearly declined. The ability to operate tactical strategies is also out of sync because midfielder Nguyen Tuan Anh has been absent continuously due to injury, while defender Nguyen Phong Hong Duy has not reached his peak performance due to health problems.

Despite facing many difficulties, the quality of Nam Dinh's squad is still considered higher than Ratchaburi's in the upcoming match. Ratchaburi is not a top team in Thailand, possessing quite a few national players, including: central defender Jonathan Khemdee and striker Ikhsan Fandi (Singapore team). In addition, Ratchaburi's foreign players come from Brazil, Spain and France, bringing diversity but have not really made an impression.

With home advantage and experience, coach Vu Hong Viet's team can absolutely win all 3 points if they know how to make good use of the foreign players they have. The result of the opening match of AFC Champions League Two not only shows Nam Dinh's mettle in the continental arena, but is also an opportunity for them to overcome internal difficulties.

Keep your mind steady

Unlike Nam Dinh, Hanoi Police (CAHN) faced a difficult challenge in the first match of the AFC Champions League Two group stage. The police team had to play away at Beijing Guoan - the Chinese football giant - at 7:15 p.m. on September 18.

This is the first time CAHN has participated in the continental arena and despite being underestimated, Coach Polking's team is still determined to create a surprise. CAHN has carefully prepared for the 2025-2026 season, when participating in 4 important arenas: V-League, National Cup, AFC Champions League Two and Southeast Asian Cup C1.

To strengthen its squad, the team recruited a series of quality new players in the summer transfer window, including the Vietnamese-American duo Adou Minh and Brandon Ly, along with foreign players such as Rogerio Alves, Stefan Mauk and "steel" center-back Pham Ly Duc from Hoang Anh Gia Lai . These reinforcements help CAHN build a deep squad, ready to fight on many fronts.

In V-League, CAHN is showing impressive form with a 4-match unbeaten streak (3 wins, 1 draw), leading the rankings after 4 rounds. However, the defeat against BG Pathum United in the opening match of the Southeast Asian Cup C1 shows that CAHN still lacks experience and courage when entering the continental arena.

CAHN's away trip to China is even more difficult when key striker Alan Grafite and "conductor" Nguyen Quang Hai are doubtful of playing due to injury. With 6 goals in the last 5 matches, Grafite's absence is a big loss for CAHN. However, the team still has quality names like Nguyen Dinh Bac and Leo Artur, ready to shoulder the attack.

Coach Polking commented: "The match with Beijing Guoan will be very difficult because this is a strong, experienced and highly qualified team. However, we are in good form and high spirits after positive results in the V-League. CAHN will take the field with careful preparation and the best mentality."