Ninh Binh, 17 September, 2025 – Nam Dinh FC enjoyed a dream start in the AFC Champions League Two 2025/26 with a 3-1 victory over Ratchaburi FC, but head coach Vu Hong Viet remained cautious, stressing that his team still has areas to improve.
Speaking after the match at Thien Truong Stadium, Viet admitted the contest was a spectacle for the fans but insisted Nam Dinh were “lucky” to come away with the win. “It was a great game. Both sides attacked and created many chances. The quality was very high, and fortunately, we managed to win,” he told the media.
This season, Nam Dinh have assembled a heavily foreign-influenced squad, taking advantage of ACL Two regulations that allow unlimited overseas players. Viet explained that the club’s involvement in four different competitions meant a deep squad was essential. “The domestic players are not deep enough for us to cope with so many tournaments. That’s why we had to add more foreign signings. In AFC competitions, there is no limit on foreigners, so this was a must. I have to balance the squad carefully depending on each opponent,” he said.
Nam Dinh’s foreign stars shone in the victory over the Thai League runners-up. Brazilian forward Caio Cesar opened the scoring with a spectacular volley, South African striker Percy Tau created constant danger and set up a goal, while Brenner struck twice to secure the points. Viet singled out his new signings for praise: “I value highly the performances of Caio Cesar, Percy Tau, Brenner… They showed excellent form. With Tau’s display, I will definitely consider giving him more chances in the V.League.”
However, the coach was not fully satisfied, pointing to the team’s defensive lapse that led to Ratchaburi’s only goal. “The conceded goal came from a lack of concentration. After scoring three, some players became complacent. The clearance was weak, and no one reacted quickly enough, allowing the opponent to capitalize. This is something we must fix. Toward the end, we had several counterattacks but failed to finish them, perhaps because the players were tired and lacked the energy to support one another. That is another issue to address.”
Alongside his coach, Caio Cesar attended the press conference and reflected on the team’s performance. “It was a very exciting match. We knew how to turn chances into goals and controlled the game for long periods. I am very happy with the result, and I hope this will be the motivation for us to push further in the group stage,” he said.
Cesar also expressed his gratitude toward Nam Dinh’s supporters. “My goal today was the product of daily hard work with my teammates. I’ve adapted well to a more attacking role since arriving here. The love from the fans in Nam Dinh makes me emotional. From the first day, I felt welcomed as if I were at home.”
Kim Tuyen
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