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 Stadium and the ability to use many foreign players are key factors.
Nam Dinh enters the match against Gamba Osaka with a clear statement: they have prepared thoroughly and are ready to play a "good" game in the AFC Cup 2025-2026 group stage. Assistant coach Andre Lima emphasized that the home advantage at Thien Truong Stadium and the ability to use more foreign players in the continental competition will be a strong foundation for the team from Nam Dinh. The match will take place at 7:15 PM on November 5th at Thien Truong Stadium.
Statement from the technical area: thorough preparation, goals achieved well.
At the press conference on the afternoon of November 4th, assistant coach Andre Lima, speaking on behalf of the coaching staff, shared: “This will be a difficult match because Gamba Osaka is a top contender for a place in the next round. However, we have prepared thoroughly, trained hard all week, and are confident of a good performance.”
He affirmed the team's positive spirit despite the absence of head coach Trung Kien, who had delegated his presence to the press conference. This mental readiness is seen as the foundation for Nam Dinh to aim for an energetic performance against their highly-rated opponent.
The advantage of Thien Truong Stadium and the variable of foreign players.
Andre Lima stated that Nam Dinh can field a stronger lineup thanks to being allowed to use more foreign players in continental competitions, although the specific list has not yet been announced. This opens up flexible personnel options across all positions, giving the team more choices for their approach to matches.
The Thien Truong Stadium is seen as a significant advantage. In the context of facing a strong opponent, the home advantage can help Nam Dinh control the tempo better and increase competitiveness in every play.
Voices from the pitch: Lucas Alves and a message of determination.
Brazilian center-back Lucas Alves emphasized the goal of winning and the spirit of resilience after difficulties: “We understand the difficulties, but this situation only makes the whole team more determined. Playing at home is a great opportunity. The first leg away from home didn't go as expected, but we learned from that and adjusted our tactics. The whole team is ready for a better performance.”
Given that Nam Dinh has previously faced squad issues related to injuries and fitness, the return of key players along with a suitable foreign player policy is expected to help the team improve its performance.
Match information and key highlights
- Time: 7:15 PM on November 5th
- Location: Thien Truong Stadium
- Tournament: AFC Cup 2025–2026 Group Stage
- Opponent: Gamba Osaka – a top contender for a spot in the next round (according to Andre Lima's assessment).
- Nam Dinh is allowed to use more foreign players in continental competitions.
Professional perspective: clear objectives, careful planning.
Statements from the technical staff and players indicate that Nam Dinh prioritizes a quality, disciplined performance and maximizing their home advantage. Thorough preparation this week, combined with the reinforcement of personnel at the continental level, forms the basis for the team to aim for points and harbor hopes of progressing further.
In what is expected to be a tough match, the way they manage the tempo and maintain focus at crucial moments will determine the weight of their home advantage at Thien Truong Stadium. Nam Dinh has sent a message that they are ready; the rest will be decided when the ball is kicked off.
