Vietnamese champions Thep Xanh Nam Dinh began their 2024/25 AFC Champions League Two campaign with a confident 2-0 win over Hong Kong’s Lee Man FC at the Mong Kok Stadium on Wednesday.
The win provides Nam Dinh with momentum ahead of their next match against True Bangkok United in two weeks, while Lee Man will face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers.
Lee Man dominated early possession, with Ryoya Tachibana setting up Jiloan Hamad, who narrowly missed the target with a long-range effort. However, Nam Dinh soon took control, with Nguyen Van Toan and Rafaelson threatening in the 10th minute. Joseph Mpande’s shot was blocked shortly after, and Lee Man keeper Chan Ka Ho was called into action to stop efforts from Lucas and Lucas Silva.
Despite some pressure from Lee Man, including Everton Camargo’s run in the 17th minute, Nam Dinh continued to create opportunities. To Van Vu missed a free-kick chance, while Caio César’s long-range shot failed to trouble Chan.
The Knights of Thanh Nam finally broke the deadlock just before the half-hour mark when a deflected shot from Lucas Silva fell to Rafaelson, who fired home to make it 1-0.
In the second half, Nam Dinh almost doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Ly Cong Hoang Anh’s attempt from distance sailed just over the bar. Lee Man had a few chances to equalize, with Paulissen setting up Camargo, but the Brazilian’s effort was easily saved, and Henri Anier’s header hit the side netting.
Nam Dinh sealed the victory in the 71st minute on a counterattack. Rafaelson’s shot was parried by Chan Ka Ho, but Silva slotted home the rebound into an empty net, securing a 2-0 win for the Vietnamese side.