Nam Dinh FC secured a solid 2-0 win against Hong Kong’s Lee Man FC in their opening match of Group G in the AFC Champions League Two, thanks to goals from Rafaelson and Lucas Silva.
Playing away at Mong Kok Stadium, Nam Dinh fielded their strongest lineup, including newly naturalized striker Rafaelson (Nguyen Xuan Son) and six foreign players. Lee Man, their opponents, also boasted a strong squad with players hailing from Japan, South Korea, Iraq, the Netherlands, Spain, and Estonia, along with two naturalized players of Brazilian origin.
The home team took the initiative early, pushing forward aggressively to try and unsettle the reigning V-League champions. In the stands, Lee Man’s fans added to the intensity by vocally pressuring Nam Dinh and reacting strongly to the referee’s decisions.
However, Nam Dinh remained composed and weathered the storm during the first 10 minutes, gradually gaining control of the game. The first notable chance came from Nguyen Van Toan, whose long-range effort narrowly missed the post. In the 13th minute, Lucas Silva made a powerful run past Lee Man’s defense and unleashed a strong shot, but it was saved by goalkeeper Chan Ka Ho.
Silva, one of Nam Dinh’s key signings this season, has made an immediate impact with his skillful dribbling on the left wing. His influence grew as the game progressed, and in the 22nd minute, he fired a fierce shot that Chan Ka Ho could not hold onto, allowing Rafaelson to pounce and slot in the rebound to open the scoring.
Rafaelson, last season’s V-League top scorer, had missed Nam Dinh’s opening league loss to Hong Linh Ha Tinh due to paperwork issues related to his naturalization, but he wasted no time making his mark in AFC Champions League Two.
Following the opening goal, Lee Man tried to push forward in search of an equalizer. However, Nam Dinh’s defense, led by Phong Hong Duy on the right, successfully neutralized Lee Man’s key player, Everton. When the home team switched their attacks to the left flank, Rosa, another physically imposing player, struggled to break through Nam Dinh’s determined Tô Van Vu, who, despite his smaller stature, put in a fearless performance.
Nam Dinh continued to dominate the midfield, with Caio and Joseph Mpande controlling the center of the park, while central defender Lucas cleared out any aerial threats. Lee Man only managed their first significant chance in the 67th minute, but forward Henri Anier’s shot was saved by Nam Dinh’s goalkeeper, Tran Nguyen Manh.
In the 72nd minute, Nam Dinh struck again on the counterattack. Ly Cong Hoang Anh, who had replaced Van Toan in the second half, played a clever through-ball to Rafaelson, whose shot was parried by the Lee Man goalkeeper. However, Lucas Silva was on hand to convert the rebound, doubling Nam Dinh’s lead.
From there, Nam Dinh expertly managed the game, slowing the tempo and controlling possession to preserve their 2-0 advantage. The visitors secured an impressive victory in their AFC Champions League Two debut, providing a strong foundation for their tournament campaign.
Nam Dinh will now return to Vietnam for their next match, where they will host Thailand’s Bangkok United. This victory will surely boost the team’s confidence as they continue their journey in the AFC Champions League Two.
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