Coach Mauro Jeronimo: Nam Dinh FC wants to beat the Thai team.

(NLĐO) - Nam Dinh Club only needs to avoid defeat against Ratchaburi in the 5th matchday of Group F of the AFC Champions League Two on the evening of November 27th to have a good chance of advancing to the knockout round.

Nam Dinh FC previously defeated Ratchaburi 3-1 in the first leg of the AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026 group stage match at Thien Truong Stadium. The V-League champions currently have the same number of points as the Thai team but are temporarily ranked second due to a better head-to-head record.

Nam Định FC is determined to win in order to qualify early for the knockout round of the AFC Champions League Two.

Group F has determined the first team to qualify for the knockout round, as well as the teams whose chances of advancing are almost over. After four matches, Gamba Osaka (Japan), with a perfect record, became the first club to advance from the group stage, while Eastern AA (Hong Kong - China) finished last in the group with four consecutive losses.

Therefore, the result of the rematch between Nam Dinh FC and host team Ratchaburi could determine the owner of the second spot in Group F to qualify for the knockout round of the AFC Champions League Two this season.

Coach Mauro Jeronimo (left) and midfielder Percy Tau

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, coach Mauro Jeronimo affirmed: "This will be an important match for Nam Dinh FC. The whole team will strive to win tomorrow's match and secure a ticket to advance further in this tournament."

The Portuguese strategist also stated that football presents many challenges and unpredictable scenarios, but his team has prepared well and will therefore achieve a positive result. "No match is easy, but our players are confident and aiming for a victory," added Coach Jeronimo.

Mr. Jeronimo spent many years working in youth training at PVF and has extensive experience coaching and competing in the National First Division. However, when PVF-CAND secured a spot in the V-League, the coach born in 1987 was no longer associated with the Hung Yen team.

After Nam Dinh FC changed their head coach twice at the beginning of the 2025-2026 season, Mauro Jeronimo was chosen by the club's management. This young strategist immediately led Nam Dinh to victory and a place in the quarter-finals of the National Cup.

Expressing his excitement about leading a Vietnamese team to a continental tournament for the first time, Coach Jeronimo shared: "I feel very happy and excited about my first match in a continental tournament. This is an opportunity for me to see my team play and demonstrate their ambition in this arena. We enter the match with the mindset of wanting to win. That makes me excited and confident before tomorrow's match."

Coach Mauro Jeronimo acknowledged Ratchaburi as a strong team but expressed confidence in his new players. He commented: "All the teams participating in the AFC Champions League Two are of high professional quality and class. Therefore, every match will be exciting and competitive, but we hope to deliver a spectacular performance for our home fans and achieve a positive result."

Coach Mauro Jeronimo emphasized: "We want to showcase a beautiful image, ambition, and fighting spirit when representing Vietnam on the international stage. We hope that the spectators at the stadium tomorrow will enjoy a great match and witness both teams playing with a spirit of fair play."

Source: https://nld.com.vn/hlv-mauro-jeronimo-clb-nam-dinh-muon-thang-doi-bong-cua-thai-lan-196251126211337362.htm