Nam Dinh lost 0-1 to Gamba Osaka but still have a chance to continue
With the same 6 points, Nam Dinh is above Ratchaburi thanks to a 3-1 win in the first leg; not losing on November 27 in Thailand, they have a wide open door to continue in AFC Champions League Two.
On the evening of November 5 at Thien Truong Stadium, Nam Dinh lost 0-1 to Gamba Osaka in the fourth match of Group F of AFC Champions League Two 2025/26. Although Ratchaburi caught up with them in terms of points (same 6 points) and were far behind in terms of goal difference (+7 compared to 0), Nam Dinh still stood above the Thai representative thanks to a better head-to-head record. This rule is the fulcrum that helps coach André Lima and his team to continue.
Group F situation: Ratchaburi explodes, Nam Dinh still holds the advantage
In the last two rounds, Ratchaburi won Eastern AA 5-1 and 7-0 to rise to 6 points, with a goal difference of +7. Nam Dinh also has 6 points but a goal difference of 0 after losing 0-1 to Gamba Osaka. However, the rankings between the two teams have not changed because the direct confrontation criterion takes priority over goal difference.
Gamba Osaka is already guaranteed to advance with 4 wins out of 4. Eastern AA lost all 4 matches and is eliminated.
Why is Nam Dinh above Ratchaburi?
In this tournament, the direct confrontation results are calculated before the goal difference. Nam Dinh is holding the advantage after defeating Ratchaburi 3-1 in the first leg at Thien Truong Stadium. That helps the Vietnamese team rank above their Thai opponents despite being far behind in total goal difference.
Scenario for the next match: the focus is on the away match on November 27
- No loss to Ratchaburi in Thailand (November 27): Nam Dinh holds the advantage in the head-to-head match and has the right to decide before the final round when hosting Eastern AA, a team that has lost all 4 matches and is certain to be eliminated. At the same time, Ratchaburi must visit Gamba Osaka.
- Losing by less than 2 goals can still advance: if Nam Dinh wins Eastern AA in the last round and Ratchaburi loses to Gamba Osaka with any score, both teams will have 9 points but Nam Dinh will still be ranked higher thanks to a better head-to-head record.
Nam Dinh's focus in the last two rounds
The key issue for Nam Dinh is the score in the direct match with Ratchaburi. Accordingly, to be sure, coach André Lima's team needs at least a point in the 5th round before aiming for victory when hosting Eastern AA in the final round. With Gamba Osaka having already secured a ticket to the next round, greater pressure is on Ratchaburi when they still have a trip to Japan.
Notable numbers
- 0-1: Nam Dinh lost to Gamba Osaka at Thien Truong in round 4.
- 6 pointsNam Dinh and Ratchaburi both have 6 points after 4 rounds.
- +7 vs 0: Goal difference between Ratchaburi (+7) and Nam Dinh (0).
- 3-1: First leg result: Nam Dinh beat Ratchaburi at home.
- 5-1, 7-0: Ratchaburi's last two wins were against Eastern AA.
- 4: Gamba Osaka won all 4 matches, sure to go to the next round.
- 2: The top teams in each group will advance to the AFC Champions League Two group stage.
The remaining match schedule directly affects the situation.
- November 27: Ratchaburi vs Nam Dinh.
- Last round: Nam Dinh vs Eastern AA; Ratchaburi visits Gamba Osaka.
In short, the defeat against Gamba Osaka does not take away Nam Dinh's right to self-determination. The advantage of facing Ratchaburi directly is the key. A result with points in Thailand will open the door to the next round for the Vietnamese representative at AFC Champions League Two 2025/26.
