TP.HCM I coach praises Lion City, who have advanced to the quarterfinals.

Ho Chi Minh City I continued to demonstrate their dominance in the AFC Champions League Women's group stage with a victory in their second match against Lion City Sailors, thus securing their place in the quarterfinals with one match to spare. At the press conference, coach Nguyen Hong Pham praised the fighting spirit of the Singaporean team while also revealing the decision to increase pressing immediately after the incident that forced young player Nur Ain Salleh to leave the field.

The decisive moment: from silence to the table where the knot is untied.

Nur Ain Salleh's (born in 2010) injury caused a brief interruption to the match, and that pause proved to be a turning point. Coach Nguyen Hong Pham said the coaching staff quickly adjusted the tempo and applied pressure when the ball resumed, turning their advantage into a goal that broke the deadlock.

The strategist born in 1964 shared: “We admire the fighting spirit of the opposing team, they were very tenacious. We were also worried about their players being injured. However, the coaching staff quickly grasped the situation, realizing that the opposing team would certainly be distracted. Therefore, as soon as the ball was kicked back, we applied strong pressure, which led to Bao Chau's lucky goal. That lucky goal broke the deadlock, but before that, the team was also unlucky as the goalpost denied us several goals. I want to thank the players for their unity, determination, and unwavering effort in helping the team achieve this good result.”

Bao Chau and the opening goal: pressure turned into an advantage.

In a match where TP.HCM I was repeatedly denied by the woodwork, Tran Nguyen Bao Chau's shot unlocked the opportunity. From a strong pressing situation, the ball found its way to the player – the one mentioned by the coach in his statement – ​​who scored a "lucky" goal, but one that was logical given the flow of the game.

Bao Chau shared her feelings: “I would like to thank the fans who came to the stadium to support the Ho Chi Minh City women's club. I feel very happy and joyful to have scored a goal and contributed to the team's victory. This was a very emotional goal, and I want to dedicate it to my father. My father is a huge football fan but couldn't come to the stadium to watch the game.”

Final minutes: advantage transformed into victory

Ho Chi Minh City I sealed the match with two late goals, turning a long and arduous game into a decisive victory. This was a reward for their disciplined approach: timely pressing, patient wear-down tactics, and capitalizing on key moments.

Impact on Group A: Awaiting the top spot match against Melbourne City

With their victory in the second match, "the team named after Uncle Ho" has already secured a place in the quarter-finals and will enter the final match in a relaxed mood. Ho Chi Minh City I has three days of rest before facing Melbourne City to compete for the top spot in Group A.

Quick Facts

• Tournament: AFC Champions League Women.
• Round two results: Ho Chi Minh City I defeated Lion City Sailors.
• Quarter-final ticket: Ho Chi Minh City I secured early, one match before the end of the group stage.
• Turning point: Nur Ain Salleh is sent off; TP.HCM I immediately increases pressing.
• Opening goal: Tran Nguyen Bao Chau scored after creating pressure.
• Match summary: Ho Chi Minh City I was denied several times by the goalpost before finally scoring.
• Match schedule: Awaiting the match for the top spot in Group A against Melbourne City.