Football

HÀ NỘI — V.League 1 defending champions Hà Nội FC face Tampines Rovers of Singapore away in the second match of Group F of the AFC Cup 2019 today.

Hà Nội lead the group with the after opening their campaign with a dominant 10-0 win against Nagaworld of Cambodia. Tampines Rovers also won three points against Yangon United of Myanmar but they rank second because of goal difference.

Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm will have the service of national U23 players Nguyễn Quang Hải, Nguyễn Thành Chung, Trương Văn Thái Quý, Đậu Văn Toàn and Đoàn Văn Hậu to prepare for the game.

“Hà Nội FC and U23 Việt Nam team have an agreement. After competing with Tampines Rovers, Hanoian players will return to the U23 team to prepare for the qualification of AFC U23 Championship on March 13,” said Nghiêm.

According to Nghiêm, Hà Nội are in the good position condition to take a win at Jurong West Sports and Recreation Centre.

In the V.League 1, Hà Nội beat Viettel 2-0 in a derby last week to rank second in the standings.

Meanwhile, Tampines Rovers lead the Singapore Premier League 2019 (SPL) with two wins.

They are the best team of Singapore now with five SPL titles, three National Cups and one ASEAN Club Championship. They entered quarter-finals of AFC Cup in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2016.  

In their four previous meetings with Tampines Rovers at the AFC event, Hà Nội have two wins, one draw and one loss.

Meanwhile, another Vietnamese representative, National Cup champions Becamex Bình Dương will face Ceres-Negros of the Philippines in Group G at home at Gò Đậu stadium.

Bình Dương began the tournament with a goalless draw against Indonesian side Persija Jakarta, while Ceres Negros defeated Shan United of Myanmar.

Ceres Negros FC are considered a prominent name of the Southeast Asian region. Although they were only founded in 2012, they have won the Philippines Football League three times in 2015, 2017 and 2018 alongside National Cup and United Football League FA League Cup titles.

According to the website www.footyrankings.com, the Filipino team rank 31st in the list of top Asian teams.

Ceres Negros do have a Vietnamese connection, as Álvaro Silva played for Hà Nội FC for one season in 2016-17.

Bình Dương’s best performance in the AFC Cup came in 2009, when they made a surprise run to the semi-finals. — VNS