Hanoi FC's footballers (Photo: kenh14.vn) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Hanoi FC and Becamex BinhDuong desperately need points in the final group games of the AFC Cup toprogress through to the next round.
Hanoi need a point to finish second Group F whenthey host leaders Tampines Rovers of Singapore. A win would see them qualify intop spot.
Becamex face a tougher task. They must beatGroup G leaders Ceres Negros by at least two goals in Bacolod City,Philippines.
Speaking with reporters in Hanoi on May 14, HanoiFC’s coach Chu Dinh Nghiem said his team would go all out for a win..
“We have worked carefully for the match which isreally important one that affects our chances,” said Nghiem.
“We want a win so that we could advance as thegroup leaders.”
The match is a good opportunity for Nghiem’ssquad to bounce back after their humiliating 1-4 defeat to Thanh Hoa in theV.League 1 on May 12. It was the Hanoi’s first loss of the season to a team whohave not won in their last eight games.
“I told players that there are wins and lossesin football,” Nghiem added.
“We could not avoid defeat. We must stand up andlook forward to the future. Let’s forget about that match and play to win atthe AFC Cup.”
Hanoi will be without key defender Do Duy Manhwho suffered a knee injury on May 12.
Other players such as captain Nguyen Van Quyetand striker Ngan Van Dai will also not feature as they have not recovered fromtheir injuries.
Visiting coach Kadir Yahaya said his team willnot be playing for a point and will go all out for victory.
Meanwhile captain Madhu Mohana believed that HanoiFC were a good team who were in good shape.
“They created many difficulties for us in thefirst match,” Mohana said.
“Their midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai is a playerwith good skills. He could make the difference during the match.”
In their first meeting Hanoi tied 1-1 inSingapore in March.
In other match of the group, Yangon United willhost Cambodia’s Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium. Neither team can qualifyfor the groupo stages.
In Group G, Binh Duong sit in second place andmust beat group leaders Ceres Negros to go through.
“We are ready for the match,” said coach NguyenThanh Son. “Players are full of energy are ready to play their best.”
In the first match the three-time V.Leaguewinners Binh Duong lost 1-3 at home on a bad night for goalkeeper Bui Tan Truongwho made a terrible mistake.
In other game, Persija Jakarta of Indonesia willentertain Shan United from Myanmar at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, inJakarta.
The last group round will see for the first timein history of Asian football the all-female referee crew taking charge of amatch.
Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and herassistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi are aasigned to officiate thematch between Yangon United FC and Naga World.
Female assistant referees KimKyoung-min and Lee Seul-gi will also work in the match between CeresNegros and Binh Duong alongside male referee Kim Dae-yong.-VNS/VNA
VNA
