Football 

Nguyễn Văn Vỹ (centre) scores only goal among many opportunities for Thép Xanh Nam Định. The team lose 1-2 to Selangor FC in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup semi-final's second leg on May 6. Photo courtesy of Thép Xanh Nam Định

HÀ NỘI — Coach Vũ Hồng Việt was confident to turnover Thép Xanh Nam Định's situation when they are to host Selangor FC in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup semi-final's second leg on May 13.

The Vietnamese champions suffered a 2-1 defeat on Wednesday in the first leg match at the MBPJ Stadium in Selangor, Malaysia.

Brazilian striker Chrigor Moraes scored twice to give the Red Giants a slender lead ahead of the return clash at the Thiên Trường Stadium in Ninh Bình Province, when Nam Định will look to build on Nguyễn Văn Vĩ‘s first-half goal.

Việt was disappointed with his players performance, claiming their finishing skills and poor defence ability.

“It was a great game from both sides,” he said. “I think we created a lot of chances that were not converted into goals. That was a pity but I think overall the performances were great. 

“Honestly, I am not pleased with their lack of focus which made us concede two goals," said Việt who asked his players to keep eyes on Faisal Halim và Moraes.

"We couldn't lock Moraes and he scored both two goals for the hosts. Meanwhile our scoring was also a problem. We created many more opportunities than the goal that we scored. This must be fixed in the second leg.

“For sure, there will be some changes in the second leg to achieve a better result on home ground and ensure that Moraes is unable to score. We will make adjustments to our tactics and line-up to be fully prepared for the return match.

“With stronger support from our fans, we will do everything possible to score more goals and advance to the final,” he said.

The loss was Nam Định’s first in the competition after winning four and drawing one of their five group matches. 

Selangor coach Kim Pan-gon on the other hand praised his players’ ability to follow their pre-match plan as the Malaysia Super League outfit gained their advantage and got closer to the gold-medal match.

“It was a tough game and our opponent, Nam Định, were very strong,” said Kim. “It was a 50-50 game. I’m very proud of all our Selangor players, they are very solid, determined, united as a team. It was very good. 

“We made a good plan and they followed all the instructions. It was great to see. And we appreciate all the Red Giants fans who came to the stadium to support us. It was a great atmosphere.

“We were aware that Nam Định are very physically strong individually, and as a team they are very solid. We were expecting a very tough game but at home we wanted to win before we go to the away game. We put all our efforts in this game to make it an attacking strategy.” 

That leaves the tie delicately poised as Selangor continue their quest for their first major title in more than a decade.

“We have achieved only one part of our plan,” said Kim. “We expect another plan will be achieved in the second game so we can achieve our target of going to the final.

“The players followed our instructions. It was good to see that we play as a team, not as individuals. We have good individual players but there was very good harmony tonight.” — VNS