Xuan Son and Nam Dinh face a big challenge in Asia: J-League runner-up

At the end of the AFC Champions League Two group stage, Nam Dinh Club could only take 2nd place in Group G. Coach Vu Hong Viet’s team had 11 points, 2 points less than the leading team, Bangkok United (Thailand). After this result, experts said that the Nam team will face many difficulties in the round of 16.

As expected, Nam Dinh Club had to face a strong opponent, Sanfrecce Hiroshima Club. This is a successful team in Japan and has 40 seasons participating in J-League 1 – the highest division in the country. In the season that just ended, Sanfrecce Hiroshima was the runner-up of J-League 1, only 4 points behind champion team Vissel Kobe.

In the AFC Champions League Two group stage, Sanfrecce Hiroshima also had impressive results. Coach Michael Skibbe’s team is in Group E with rivals Sydney (Australia), Kaya (Philippines), Dong Phuong (Hong Kong) and has an undefeated record. Sanfrecce Hiroshima won 5 wins and 1 draw, leading the table. Notably, this team scored 14 goals and conceded 5 times.

In terms of strength, Sanfrecce Hiroshima is also one of the most highly rated teams in the AFC Champions League Two 2024 – 2025. According to the site’s statistics. Transfermarktthe Japanese representative has a squad value of 20.25 million euros, 4 times more than Nam Dinh Club.

It is expected that the round of 16 teams of AFC Champions League Two 2024 – 2025 will take place in the first and second leg format. In particular, the first leg takes place from February 11 to 13, 2025 and the return leg from February 18 to 20, 2025.

Currently, Nam Dinh Club is still gathering and training actively. Meanwhile, three stars, Nguyen Xuan Son, striker Nguyen Van Toan and defender Nguyen Van Vi, join the Vietnamese team in fighting at the AFF Cup 2024 (tournament ends January 5, 2025). After this tournament, all three will return to Nam Dinh Club to prepare for matches in the V-League as well as AFC Champions League Two 2024 – 2025.