In the previous round, Nam Dinh triumphed 3-0 over Hong Kong’s Lee Man, while Bangkok United suffered a surprising 0-1 loss to Singapore’s Tampines Rovers. These results placed the Vietnamese champions at the top of Group G with 11 points, one ahead of Bangkok United. Although Nam Dinh had secured their place in the next round, a draw in the final match would have guaranteed the top spot, allowing them to avoid the strongest group winners in the Round of 16.
Nam Dinh entered the match at Thammasat Stadium on December 4 missing two key players due to injuries: goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh and striker Lucas Silva. Goalkeeper Tran Liem Dieu and forward Tran Van Dat stepped in as replacements. Additionally, with no VAR available, players had to be cautious in their challenges.
The opening 30 minutes were tightly contested, with few chances created. However, in the 29th minute, Brazilian-born forward Nguyen Xuan Son made the difference with a powerful header into the bottom-right corner, assisted by a precise cross from Tran Van Dat on the left flank.
Nam Dinh’s lead was short-lived due to defensive lapses. In the 35th minute, Joseph Mpande lost the ball in midfield, leaving center-backs Walber and Lucas Alves to face four Bangkok attackers. Muhsen Al Ghassani carried the ball near the box before passing to Luka Adzic, who cut inside Mpande and curled a shot into the far corner to equalize.
In stoppage time of the first half, Bangkok launched a long counter-attack, and Lucas Alves failed to control the ball properly. Adzic pounced, delivering a pass to Bassel Jradi, who was fouled in the box by Walber. From the penalty spot, Al Ghassani calmly slotted the ball down the middle, putting Bangkok ahead 2-1.
In the second half, Coach Vu Hong Viet introduced Nguyen Tuan Anh and Nguyen Van Vi to strengthen the midfield and left flank. Substitutions continued with Hendrio and Nguyen Van Toan making way for Tran Van Trung and Ly Cong Hoang Anh in the 59th minute.
Nam Dinh nearly equalized in the 66th minute when Tuan Anh’s cross found Xuan Son, whose powerful header was superbly saved by goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai. In the 75th minute, Hoang Anh’s close-range attempt narrowly missed the target.
However, Nam Dinh’s efforts unraveled in the 83rd minute due to a counter-attack. Weerathep Pomphan’s long pass led to a combination play between Jradi, Al Ghassani, and Mahmoud Eid, culminating in Jradi’s strike into the top corner, extending Bangkok’s lead to 3-1.
Nam Dinh regained hope in the 90th minute when Pomphan fouled Van Trung in the box. Xuan Son converted the penalty with a low shot, marking his fifth goal in the tournament. He now sits among the top scorers in AFC Champions League Two this season.
Despite pressing during added time, Nam Dinh failed to create clear opportunities. A final corner kick was denied when the referee blew the full-time whistle after the allocated six minutes, sparking protests from Xuan Son and Lucas Alves.
Nam Dinh concludes the group stage in second place. They will face one of the group winners—Port FC (Thailand), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (South Korea), or Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan)—in the Round of 16, which will be played over two legs from February 11 to February 20, 2025. The draw for the knockout stage will take place on December 12.
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