Football

Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm. of Hải Phòng (second right) and coach Jose Bernardo of PSM Makassar (second, left) and their player at the AFC Cup pre-match conference on September 21. Photo of VFF

HÀ NỘI — Hải Phòng FC aim to reach the knock-out round of the AFC Cup although Việt Nam V.League1 runners up will play without best players due to injuries.

Hải Phòng will host PSM Makassar of Indonesia in the first match of Group H at the Lạch Tray Stadium on September 21.

"Hải Phòng's line up has changed a lot this season with some newcomers after veterans including captain Nguyễn Hải Huy left," said coach Chu Đình Nghiêm.

"It is our big loss when some other players got injured after their play for the national team during the recent FIFA days. They will not play tomorrow. It causes us difficulty in setting our team in such a short time.

"However, I have found suitable replacement and prepared well for the team. We look forward to a win in the first match and then go on to qualify for the next round."

Nghiêm said he researched the Indonesian champions carefully and had plans in place.

"In their latest match, they secured a 2-0 win using seven foreigners and imported players. We will have our way to beat them."

Attending the pre-match conference, forward Joseph Mpande said he respected the visitors although he had almost no idea about them.

The Ugandan said Makassar were a regular face at the AFC Cup so Hải Phòng needed to play with the highest determination and effort to earn positive result.

Makassar coach Jose Bernardo said his team were not in good shape as they spent too much time travelling to Việt Nam.

He said Việt Nam's football was No 1 in ASEAN while Indonesia No 5. It was a big gap that created difference. Further, Vietnamese players were really warriors with their high speed playing style.

Makassar would also play without two key players who had to serve the Olympics team at the Asian Games in China.

However, Bernardo still expected a good result because his team would play with solidarity and competitiveness. VNS