Football

Rafaelson of Nam Định (centre) scores a goal in the team's 2-0 win over Lee Man of Hong Kong in the AFC Champions League II on September 18. Photo courtesy of Nam Định FC

HÀ NỘI — Rafaelson and Lucas de Silva scored a goal each to secure V.League 1 champions Thép Xanh Nam Định's first win in an international match on Wednesday in Hong Kong.

Nam Định is one of two representatives from Việt Nam at the AFC Champions League II, the first time they have qualified for a continental competition.

Playing Lee Man FC away did not seem to be a big problem for Nam Định, who made the 2-0 win against the Lee Man at the Mong Kok Stadium appear relatively easy.

The home side dominated very early on, with Ryoya Tachibana setting up Jiloan Hamad, whose long range effort just missed the target, before Nam Định began to dominate.

Nguyễn Văn Toàn and Rafaelson threatened in the tenth minute before Joseph Mpande saw his effort blocked two minutes later, while Lucas Silva saw his efforts from inside the box saved.

Limited to only counter-attacks, Lee Man came close in the 17th minute with Everton Camargo, weaving his way inside the packed six-yard-box only to finish with a tame effort, easily dealt with by Nam Định goalkeeper Trần Nguyên Mạnh.

Nam Định continued to toil with Tô Văn Vũ wasting his chance from a set-piece situation in the 20th minute before Caio César failed to trouble Lee Man keeper Chan Ka Ho from distance a minute later.

The breakthrough finally arrived for the away side just before the half-hour mark when Silva’s powerful shot was deflected into the path of Rafaelson, who rifled it into the back of the net.

Nam Định came close to doubling their advantage in the 55th minute after Lý Công Hoàng Anh spotted Chan off his line, but his weighted effort from just above the box sailed over the bar.

Lee Man tried to claw their way back and came close to scoring in the 67th minute after Paulissen set up Camargo nicely inside the box, but the Brazilian’s tame effort was easily collected by keeper Mạnh.

The Hong Kong side came close again four minutes later with Henri Anier angling his headed attempt into the side netting, before Nam Định responded with the second goal on the break.

Rafaelson’s attempt was parried away by Chan, only for the ball to land kindly for Silva to slot home into an empty net to seal the three points for Nam Định. 

Speaking at the post-match conference coach Vũ Hồng Việt said he was happy with the win, especially as the team not playing at home and it was a great  international debut.

He added that his players struggled a little because the ground surface was not good, but they gradually adapted and managed the ball well and played to win.

Star of the match Rafaelson was excited with the result, saying his team was united together and strived hard through the match.

Nam Định will host Bangkok United of Thailand in two weeks, while Lee Man will face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers. VNS