Football

Coach Nguyễn Hồng Phẩm of HCM City speaks to reporters at a press briefing ahead of the AFC Women's Champions League's Group C fixture on OCtober 11 in HCM City. Photos of VFF

HCM CITY — HCM City and Urawa Red Diamons seek for maximum points in their clash in the AFC Women's Champions League on October 12 although they qualified for the knockout stage.

Managers of both sides however still wanted a fascinating top-of-the-table of Group C at the Thống Nhất Stadium in HCM City.

Because finishing top will ensure a home quarter-final tie and that undoubtedly will be the target for both teams.

Head coach Naoki Kusonose has seen his Japanese Urawa side score 19 goals without reply thus far and he will want to see his defence shutting out the hosts.

Head coach Naoki Kusonose of Urawa Red Diamonds.

He said: “We just had a very difficult match against Taichung Blue Whale. Tomorrow, Urawa Red Diamonds will announce their lineup and tactics based on the weather situation. HCM City are a strong team, but we will focus on our own performance, limit injuries and prepare for the next phase of the season."

His forward Mei Shimada said: “I will try to keep my mind and physique out of anything unfortunate like injuries. No matter how strong the opponent is, Urawa Red Diamonds still maintains our target: playing with the best spirit in tomorrow's match."

On the host side, coach Nguyễn Hồng Phẩm confirmed to use his strongest players to take the top position.

“We plan to field players with high determination and performance for the game," said Phẩm.

"Two previous matches were not easy for us as both rivals Taichung Blue Whale and Odisha were playing hard. Tomorrow we will present the highest quality match to our fans. Hope that the weather would support us."

Striker Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Ngân expected to have a place in the starting team and would give her best. She also wanted to have goals and believed that the American teammates would also score after they missed opportunities in previous games.

In other the match, despite both teams still without a point, Taichung and Odisha have a chance to reach the quarter-finals should they win.

Three points could be sufficient to take either team through to the next stage as one of the two best third-placed finishers.

Taichung will take plenty of heart after having held their own against Urawa Red Ladies in the first half of their match on Wednesday and if they can replicate the performance, this could be a very difficult match for Odisha.

The Indian side has had a difficult time thus far, having shipped in 20 goals over two matches as head coach Crispin Chhetri targets a more positive outcome in their final group game. VNS