Match preview: Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA, 17:00 on December 11th: A slim chance of winning.

VHO - Analyzing the Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA match in the AFC Cup group stage, despite dwindling hopes, the home team at Thien Truong Stadium still takes to the field with the determination to secure a resounding victory.

Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA form

Nam Định shot themselves in the foot in the race for a place in the next round in Group F. A 0-2 defeat at the hands of direct competitor Ratchaburi, with two goals conceded in injury time, leaves the reigning V.League champions with very little hope of reaching the round of 16.

Before the final matchday, Nam Định had only 6 points, dropping to 3rd place, 3 points behind Ratchaburi. Given that the head-to-head record between the two teams is balanced, goal difference will be considered if both teams are tied on points.

In this respect, Nam Dinh is also at a significant disadvantage. The team from Nam Dinh currently has a goal difference of -2, compared to +9 for their Thai opponents. If they want to squeeze through this narrow gap, coach Mauro Jeronimo's team must win convincingly against Eastern AA and hope that the league leaders Gamba Osaka don't hold back against Ratchaburi.

However, the above scenario has a low probability of happening. Gamba Osaka has already secured first place in the group, so there's no reason for the Japanese representative to field their strongest lineup and exert themselves excessively in a match that is merely a formality. Furthermore, overcoming an 11-goal goal difference is very difficult.

Even though Eastern AA is the weakest team in the group, having yet to earn any points and boasting a goal difference of -19, the likelihood of Nam Dinh "annihilating" the visitors from Hong Kong (China) by an 8 or 9-goal margin is not high. In the first leg, despite being considered the stronger team, Percy Tau and his teammates only managed a narrow 1-0 victory.

But as long as there's still hope, who knows, on a beautiful day, the best-case scenario might unfold for the home team at Thien Truong Stadium. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, coach Jeronimo affirmed that he and his players are determined to achieve the biggest possible victory.

It's quite unfortunate that Xuan Son couldn't play in the match against Eastern AA (Photo: Nam Dinh FC)

A week ago, Nam Dinh secured a resounding 3-0 victory against Shan United in the group stage of the Southeast Asian Champions League. This impressive result in Myanmar may help boost the morale of the Nam Dinh team after months of disappointment.

Unfortunately, Xuan Son – the star who scored a hat-trick – will be absent from the upcoming match due to not being registered to play in the continental competition. However, against an opponent weaker in every aspect, with no more goals to fight for and currently out of form (losing 6 out of their last 7 matches), Nam Dinh still has a very high chance of winning convincingly.

Team information for Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA

Nam Dinh: Xuan Son is in great form but unable to play. Welcoming the return of Tuan Anh.

Eastern AA: Full force.

Predicted lineups for Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA

Nam Dinh: Caique, Lucas, Pham Ba, Van Toi, Tuan Anh, Van Vy, Mota, Percy Tau, Caio, Brenner, Romulo

Eastern AA: Fu Yuen Liu, Wong Tsz Ho, Almazan, Lorenz, Koo Ja Ryong, Hin-Ting Lam, Chun Pong Leung, Lau Kwan Ching, Gondra, Callum Hall, Chang Kwong Yin

Prediction: 5-0

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/nhan-dinh-tran-dau-nam-dinh-vs-eastern-aa-17h00-ngay-1112-hy-vong-mong-manh-187286.html