Nam Dinh Club lost heavily to Gamba Osaka: Determined to turn the tables in the rematch at Thien Truong

Nam Dinh Club lost 1-3 to host Gamba Osaka in the match on October 22 at Panasonic Suita Stadium, in the third round of Group F of AFC Champions League 2.

Nam Dinh Club was pressured

After two smooth victories against Ratchaburi (3-1) and Eastern (1-0), Nam Dinh Club entered a real challenge in the third round of the AFC Champions League 2 group stage, with an away match at Gamba Osaka Stadium.

The last time coach Vu Hong Viet and his team faced a Japanese club was in the round of 16 of the AFC Champions League 2 last season. At that time, Nam Dinh lost 0-7 on aggregate to Sanfreece Hiroshima.

Nam Dinh Club (white shirt) was overwhelmed by Gamba Osaka

PHOTO: NAM DINH CLUB

The gap between Vietnamese football and Japanese football continues to be a barrier preventing Nam Dinh FC from making a miracle. At Panasonic Suita Stadium (Osaka), Coach Vu Hong Viet continued to field a squad of 8 Western players, keeping only 3 domestic players including Van Kien, Hoang Anh, and Ti Phong.

Despite choosing an active defensive style of play in anticipation of Gamba Osaka's superior class, Nam Dinh's defense was still shaken by the pressure, along with the home team's overwhelming skill and technique. Tall central defenders like Lucas Alves and Mitchell Dijks were constantly surpassed by Gamba Osaka's sticky and varied passing moves, leading to Caique Santos' goal being in a constant state of alarm.

Nam Dinh's goal in the 16th minute was such a combination. After a series of passes, the ball was passed down for Yamashita to enter the penalty area. In front of a forest of Nam Dinh defenders, Yamashita still stretched the ball across for Rin Mito to tap the ball into the net from close range, putting Gamba Osaka ahead.

Gamba Osaka pressed hard

PHOTO: NAM DINH CLUB

Despite conceding the first goal, Nam Dinh FC still had to defend with all their might. On the contrary, Gamba Osaka put on suffocating pressure, in which, striker Jebali alone had 4 kicks to test Caique Santos, with the most dangerous shot hitting the crossbar.

On the attacking front, the visitors' best chance came in the 25th minute, when Percy Tau received a pass from Hoang Anh and curled the ball wide.

powerless

After the break, Nam Dinh Club still had to retreat to protect their goal, in the context that Gamba Osaka showed no signs of slowing down their playing pace.

Possessing many good players, Nam Dinh FC still played in a loose and fragmented manner. In the 52nd minute, despite having 4 defenders, the Vietnamese representative let Yamashita dribble the ball straight into the penalty area, facing goalkeeper Caique. He decided to pass the ball to Jebali to double the gap.

Percy Tau (right) is closely guarded

PHOTO: NAM DINH CLUB

In the following minutes, Nam Dinh Club fought back strongly, but the attacks of coach Vu Hong Viet's students were ineffective. Marlos Brenner and Percy Tau could not fight independently to make a difference against a very solid and disciplined opponent.

Both Gamba Osaka and Nam Dinh had chances in the last 20 minutes of the match, but only one more goal was scored. In the 87th minute, Yamashita freely escaped down the left wing, penetrating Nam Dinh's fragile defense. The Japanese player's curling shot was not good, but the ball accidentally... hit the Nam Dinh defender, changed direction and went straight into the net, leaving goalkeeper Caique surprised.

Nam Dinh's honorary goal was scored in the 90+4 minute, when Kyle Hudlin controlled the ball neatly and then turned to shoot at a dangerous angle. This was also Nam Dinh's only bright spot in this match.

Defeating Nam Dinh with a score of 3-1, Gamba Osaka maintained the top position in Group F with 9 points after 3 matches. Meanwhile, coach Vu Hong Viet's students will wait for the rematch with their Japanese opponent next month, with the match at Thien Truong Stadium.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/clb-nam-dinh-thua-dam-gamba-osaka-quyet-lat-nguoc-the-co-khi-tai-dau-o-thien-truong-185251022180136771.htm