Hai Phong FC is in a difficult position after losing to Sabah (Malaysia). The Vietnamese team is second in the group with 6 points, 3 points behind Sabah and equal with PSM Makassar. Therefore, tonight's match with the Indonesian representative is decisive for Hai Phong FC's chance to continue.
Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team no longer have the right to decide the current situation. They need to try to gain maximum points in the last two matches, while waiting for Sabah to stumble.
Hai Phong lost the right to decide the next round after losing to Sabah. (Photo: Sabah)
If the Malaysian representative wins at least 3 points in one of the remaining two matches, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team will lose all hope of winning the top spot in the group. In this case, Hai Phong FC will only have a chance to continue as the second-placed team with the best record in Southeast Asia.
Hai Phong FC is at a disadvantage compared to Terengganu and Phnom Penh Crown. They are at the bottom of the second-placed teams. The Vietnamese representative must strive to gain all 6 points in the last 2 matches, while waiting for favorable results in the group as well as other groups.
PSM Makassar vs Hai Phong form
PSM Makassar's form has not been bad recently. In the last 7 matches, they have lost only 1 match, won 4 matches and had 2 draws. In the 2023/2024 AFC Cup, coach Bernardo Tavares' team won 3-1 against Hougang United and lost 0-5 to Sabah when playing at home.
After an impressive start to the season, Hai Phong FC has been unstable. In the last 2 matches, they lost to Binh Duong and Sabah FC. Notably, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team's away form at the 2023/2024 AFC Cup was not good when they lost both matches.
PSM Makassar vs Hai Phong
PSM Makassar has just added two foreign players, Jose Pinto and Victor Mansaray, both of whom have experience playing in the V.League. The duo's understanding of Vietnamese football in general and Hai Phong FC in particular will be of great help to the home team. Striker Mansaray is in good form, scoring 3 goals in the last 3 matches for his new team.
Hai Phong FC will not have Dam Tien Dung due to injury. Pham Trung Hieu is still on long-term leave due to a broken fibula while serving the Vietnam national team.
Expected lineup 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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