Vietnamese representatives face difficulties.

Hai Phong FC is in a difficult position after their defeat against Sabah (Malaysia). The Vietnamese team is second in the group with 6 points, 3 points behind Sabah and level with PSM Makassar. Therefore, tonight's match against the Indonesian representative is crucial to Hai Phong FC's chances of advancing.

Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm and his team no longer have control over their own destiny given the current situation. They need to strive to win as many points as possible in the last two matches, while also hoping Sabah slips up.

Hai Phong lost control of their own destiny regarding qualification after their defeat to Sabah. (Photo: Sabah)

If the Malaysian representative wins at least 3 points in one of the remaining two matches, Coach Chu Đình Nghiêm's team will have no hope of winning the top spot in the group. In this case, Hai Phong Club will only have a chance to advance through the slot reserved for the best-performing second-placed team in Southeast Asia.

Hai Phong FC is at a disadvantage compared to Terengganu and Phnom Penh Crown. They are currently last among the second-placed teams in their group. The Vietnamese representative must strive to win all 6 points in the last two matches, while also hoping for favorable results in their group as well as in other groups.

PSM Makassar vs Hai Phong form

PSM Makassar's recent form hasn't been bad. In their last 7 matches, they've only lost 1, won 4, and drawn 2. In the AFC Cup 2023/2024, coach Bernardo Tavares's team won 3-1 against Hougang United and lost 0-5 to Sabah at home.

After a fairly impressive start to the season, Hai Phong FC has shown instability. In their last two matches, they suffered defeats against Binh Duong FC and Sabah. Notably, their away form in the AFC Cup 2023/2024 has been poor, with both matches ending in defeat.

PSM Makassar vs Hai Phong

PSM Makassar has just added two foreign players, Jose Pinto and Victor Mansaray, both with experience playing in the V.League. Their understanding of Vietnamese football in general and Hai Phong FC in particular will be very helpful to the home team. Striker Mansaray is in good form, having scored 3 goals in his last 3 matches for his new team.

Hai Phong FC will be without Dam Tien Dung due to injury. Pham Trung Hieu is still out for an extended period after fracturing his fibula while playing for the Vietnamese national team.

Predicted lineups for PSM Makassar vs Hai Phong

PSM Makassar: Muhammad Reza Pratama, Everton Nascimento, Yance Sayuri, A. Tanjung, Adilson Silva, Muhammad Rizky Pratama, K. Nambu, D. Asraf, Gutawa, Mansaray, Arfan

Hai Phong: Dinh Trieu, Van Meurs, Van Toi, Viet Hung, Hoang Nam, Huu Son, Mpande, Bicou, Manh Dung, Lucao, Yuri

Prediction: PSM Makassar 0-1 Hai Phong

Van Hai

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