Football

Nguyễn Xuân Son (second, right) celebrates after scoring Thép Xanh Nam Định's third goal in their 3-0 win over Lee Man at the AFC Champions League Two on November 27. Photos of Thép Xanh Nam ĐỊnh FC

NAM ĐỊNH — Thép Xanh Nam Định head coạch Vũ Hồng Việt said he hopes to get the top spot in Group G, with the club already earning a place in the next round of the AFC Champions League Two.

Nam Định booked their time in the knockout stage after cruising 3-0 win over Lee Man of Hong Kong in their tie at the Thiên Trường Stadium on November 27.

Lucas Silva, Tô Văn Vũ and Nguyễn Xuân Son scored for the hosts in the first half to put the match beyond Lee Man’s reach, with Nam Định moving to 11 points to confirm their spot, with a match to spare.

"After several matches with poor results, our coaching board recognised the problems and made changes. We have played better and scored many goals. You can see that our frontline does a good job after those changes, we attack better and create more threatening opportunities," said Việt.

"We win and we are happy to advance to the next round. However, after the group stage, AFC will conduct a draw and the group leader will play runner-up of the other group. So, we will target the top spot of this group to enjoy this advantage," he said.

The home threatened just two minutes into the game, with Joseph Mpande floating an inviting cross into the box for Hendrio Araujo Dasilva, but Lee Man defender Timothy Chow was on hand to clear the danger.

Nam Định went close again two minutes later when Nguyễn Văn Toàn’s run into the box was left unchallenged, but the forward’s cutback failed to find the intended target.

Nam Định’s aggression paid off in the 11th minute with Vũ orchestrating the move from the right flank, before cutting to the centre and setting up Silva, who had time and space to place a powerful shot into the top right corner.

Lee Man, already eliminated after four defeats, struggled to contain their opponents with Son testing keeper Chan Ka Ho with a glancing header in the 21st minute off Nguyễn Văn Vĩ’s cross.

To Văn Vũ of Thép Xanh Nam Định (centre) in action during their match.

The Vietnamese side doubled their advantage just before the half-hour mark, with Vũ gathering a loose ball from inside the six-yard-box before slipping a grounded effort past Chan.

Lee Man’s woes were further compounded after conceding a penalty with Son sending Chan the wrong way in the 43rd minute.

Both sides had their chances in the second half, but none converted into goals.

In the earlier match of the group, Tampines Rovers of Singapore defeated Thailand’s Bangkok United 1-0, but it wasn’t enough as they exited the tournament.

In the next fixtures on December 4, Lee Man will host Tampines Rovers at the Mong Kok Stadium before both end the continental competition.

Nam Định will travel to play Bangkok United to decide the group winners, with the Thai side also having booked their ticket to the next round. VNS