After securing an all-important first win of their ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup campaign against Shan United in mid-December, the Lion City Sailors resume their journey in the competition with a crucial Matchday Four encounter away to Vietnamese champions Nam Định FC at the Thiên Trường Stadium on Thursday (29 January) night.
Up against quality opposition
Nam Định have set the early pace in Group B and deservedly so, having won all three of their matches so far. Their most eye-catching result came in the previous round, when they claimed a stunning 4-1 away victory over Bangkok United to move to the brink of qualification for the semi-finals.
The home side boast an array of attacking options, including South African international Percy Tau, who made three appearances in the English Premier League during the 2020/21 season with Brighton & Hove Albion, and Brazilian forward Brenner, who has already netted five goals in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League Two this term. That tally includes a hat-trick in a 9-0 victory over Hong Kong side Eastern SC on 11 December.
The standout threat, however, is Brazil-born forward Nguyễn Xuân Son, formerly known as Rafaelson.
The 28-year-old marked his return from an 11-month layoff following a broken leg in emphatic fashion, as he scored all three goals in a 3–0 win over Shan United, before adding a brace against Bangkok United. Those strikes have propelled him to the top of the Shopee Cup scoring charts after just two appearances.
And despite not having played a competitive fixture since their clash with Eastern some 48 days ago, Nam Định have kept match-sharp with a series of domestic friendlies since the turn of the year, including a 2-2 draw with Công An Hà Nội FC last Friday (23 January).
Victory over the Sailors would confirm a top-two finish for the V.League 1 side, and it is a target that is clearly on the minds of head coach Mauro Jerónimo and his squad.
“Of course, I believe our team can win this match because we work every day towards one objective: to win,” said the former Benfica youth coach, who was appointed last November.
“The Lion City Sailors are a very good team. They dominate their domestic league and have also performed well in international competitions, reaching the final of the ACL Two last season.
“They are strong in transition and have quality players going forward. They have also been under the same coach for the past three years, which makes them a very stable team. For us, it is important to start the game with the right tempo and intensity, but I am confident of our chances.”
Sailors ready to rise to the challenge
The task ahead is undoubtedly a demanding one, but the Sailors head into the contest determined to rise to the occasion, even with chilly conditions expected in Nam Định, where temperatures are forecast to range between 24°C and 15°C.
Currently fourth in Group B and three points adrift of second-placed Johor Darul Ta’zim, the reigning Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions know that a victory would blow the group wide open. It would also set up a tantalising final Matchday Five showdown at home against Cambodian side PKR Svay Rieng next Thursday (5 February).
The Sailors, however, have a slightly thinner squad to call upon for this one, with a number of players unavailable – including new signings Luka Adžić and Kyoga Nakamura who are ineligible for the Group Stage as they have already featured for Bangkok United earlier in the competition.
“The preparation for this game has been a little different from our usual matches. We’ve had some difficulties putting out our strongest squad due to the unavailability of a few players, and that is one of the biggest challenges we have faced this season,” said Head Coach Aleksandar Ranković, who is set to take charge of his 100th match at the helm of the club.
“Nam Định are a very strong side, with quality in both their foreign and local players, but our focus will be on ourselves and what we can do. What is important for us tomorrow is to show resilience, character and the patience to manage the game in a smart way in order to get a result.”
That defiance is echoed by forward Shawal Anuar, who will be aiming to add to his tally of seven goals in all competitions this season.
“It will be a tough challenge for us tomorrow, but we know the coaches will prepare us in the best way possible,” said the 34-year-old, who netted a stunning strike away to JDT last August.
“We just need to trust the game plan, give everything we have and work together as a team. If we can do that, I believe we have the quality to trouble our opponents. Ultimately, we want to represent Singapore football well on this stage and give our travelling fans something to cheer about.”
