After 4 matches of the AFC Cup 2023/24, Hai Phong FC is currently only behind Sabah FC, the team at the top of Group H. However, the door to the next round for the Vietnamese representative is not yet completely open.
The immediate goal of the Hai Phong team is to defeat PSM Makassar in the 5th match, taking place at 7pm tonight, November 30 at Kapten I Wayan Dipta Stadium. There are 3 suggestions that coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team can consider implementing to bring about maximum results.
Bring Dinh Trieu back to the frame
In the previous two matches against Becamex Binh Duong and Sabah FC, No. 1 goalkeeper Dinh Trieu was absent due to injury. Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem gave Van Toan the opportunity to start. However, he could not satisfy fans with many uncertain situations.
In just one match against the Malaysian representative, Van Toan conceded 4 goals. Lack of exposure to real-life situations may have significantly reduced the reflexes of the goalkeeper born in 1996.
Goalkeeper Dinh Trieu (in black) brings peace of mind to Hai Phong FC. (Photo: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty)
Although we cannot put all the responsibility on Van Toan, the result could have been different if Dinh Trieu had been the goalkeeper. In fact, in the last 3 matches where Dinh Trieu started, Hai Phong FC won 2 and drew 1.
Facing an opponent with many formidable strikers like PSM Makassar, Dinh Trieu's timely recovery is essential for the home team at Lach Tray Stadium.
Trusted by Yuri Mamute
Not Lucao do Break or Joseph Mpande, Yuri Mamute is currently the top scorer of Hai Phong FC. After 5 appearances in the Asian arena this year (AFC Champions League play-off round and AFC Cup), the Brazilian striker scored 5 goals. If he were registered in V.League, his contribution could be even greater.
Yuri Mamute's most outstanding feature is his ability to score goals with his head. In addition, the former Gremio player also possesses a powerful right foot with powerful kicks, causing difficulties for the opposing goalkeeper.
Yuri Mamute (No. 10) has contributed 5 goals for Hai Phong FC this season. (Photo: Eurasia Sport Images/Getty)
With an efficiency of 1 goal/match, it is clear that at this time Yuri Mamute is rated higher in the center forward position than Lucao. On the other hand, Yuri Mamute promises to surprise PSM Makassar because he was absent in the first leg due to injury. If the former U20 Brazil player does not have any physical problems, he deserves to be continued by coach Chu Dinh Nghiem.
Exploit PSM's weak point in midfield
In the last 12 matches, PSM Makassar won 4, drew 2 and lost 6 matches. As the Indonesian champions, the performance of coach Bernardo Tavares and his team at the 2023/24 AFC Cup is considered relatively unstable.
The reason for the “ups and downs” may come from PSM Makassar’s midfield. Although the midfield is always arranged with 3 players, the Indonesian team often shows weakness to their opponents. In almost every match, PSM Makassar has a low ball possession rate and is often hit in the face.
Hai Phong FC needs to control the midfield well. (Photo: VPF)
The name that Coach Tavares often uses at the bottom of the midfield is Akbar Tanjung. According to SofaScore, Tanjung has been a constant disappointment, being one of the lowest-rated names even when the home team wins. This has led to the two players who often play next to Tanjung, Arfan and Salman, also performing unconvincingly many times.
This is a weakness that coach Chu Dinh Nghiem can exploit by asking Huu Son, Hoang Nam, and Mpande to actively apply pressure. If successful, Hai Phong FC will gain an advantage in the midfield area to hope for an optimistic result.
FPT Play is the sole owner of television rights for tournaments under the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) system for 4 consecutive years from 2021 to 2024, including the AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.
Readers can watch the PSM Makassar - Hai Phong FC match live, broadcast live and exclusively on the FPT Play system at 7:00 p.m. tonight, November 30.
Bao Anh
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