Andre Lima: Nam Dinh is ready to play well against Gamba Osaka
Andre Lima affirmed that Nam Dinh has prepared well and is ready to play well against Gamba Osaka; the advantage of Thien Truong and the use of many foreign players is a support.
Nam Dinh entered the match to welcome Gamba Osaka with a clear statement: they have prepared carefully and are ready to play a "good" match in the group stage of the 2025-2026 AFC Cup. Assistant coach Andre Lima emphasized that the advantage of Thien Truong Stadium and the ability to use more foreign players in the continental arena will be a support for the team from Thanh Nam. The match will take place at 7:15 p.m. on November 5 at Thien Truong Stadium.
Statement from the technical area: well prepared, aiming to perform well
At the press conference on the afternoon of November 4, assistant coach Andre Lima, on behalf of the coaching staff, shared: "This will be a difficult match because Gamba Osaka is the top candidate for the ticket to the next round. However, we have prepared carefully, practiced hard all week and are confident of having a good performance."
He affirmed that the team spirit is positive even though head coach Trung Kien was not present and was authorized to attend the press conference. Mental readiness is considered the foundation for Nam Dinh to aim for an energetic performance against a highly rated opponent.
Thien Truong advantage and foreign player variable
Andre Lima said Nam Dinh can field a stronger squad thanks to being allowed to use more foreign players in the continental tournament, although the specific list has not been announced. This opens up flexible personnel options in all lines, helping the team have more options for approaching the match.
Thien Truong home field is considered a significant advantage. In the context of facing strong opponents, the advantage of the home ground can help Nam Dinh control the tempo better and increase competitiveness in each phase of the ball.
Voices from the pitch: Lucas Alves and the message of determination
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Alves emphasized the goal of winning and the spirit of response after the difficulties: “We understand the difficulties, but this situation makes the whole team more determined. Playing at home is a great opportunity. The first leg away was not as expected, but we learned from the experience and adjusted our tactics. The whole team is ready for a better performance.”
In the context that Nam Dinh has faced problems with its force related to injuries and fitness, the return of key players and a suitable policy of using foreign players are expected to help the team improve the quality of their performance.
Match information and notable highlights
- Time: 7:15 p.m., November 5
- Location: Thien Truong Stadium
- Tournament: 2025–2026 AFC Cup group stage
- Opponent: Gamba Osaka – top candidate for ticket to continue (according to Andre Lima's assessment)
- Nam Dinh are allowed to use more foreign players in the continental arena.
Professional perspective: clear goals, careful planning
Statements from the technical area and players show that Nam Dinh are prioritizing a quality, disciplined performance and maximizing home advantage. Careful preparation during the week, combined with personnel strengthened at the continental level, is the basis for the team to aim to accumulate points and hope to go far.
In a match that is predicted to be difficult, the way the tempo is managed and the concentration at key moments will determine the weight of Thien Truong's advantage. Nam Dinh has sent out a message of readiness, the rest will be decided when the ball rolls.
