Stallion Laguna 0-1 TPHCM: Coach praises Huynh Nhu's wonder goal.
Coach Ernest Nierras praised Huynh Nhu's spectacular free-kick, admitting that Ho Chi Minh City deserved the win; in the November 16th round, Ho Chi Minh City will face Lion City Sailors, and Stallion will play Melbourne.
TPHCM FC won 1-0 against Stallion Laguna in their AFC Champions League opening match thanks to a decisive free-kick from captain Huỳnh Như in the second half. After the match, coach Ernest Nierras admitted that TPHCM deserved the three points and directly praised the winning goal.
A stunning free-kick that decided the game.
The game-changing moment came from a set piece: Huỳnh Như scored the only goal of the match with a spectacular free-kick. Coach Ernest Nierras commented: “Conceding a free-kick was unfortunate. Huỳnh Như's free-kick was excellent, and we were also unlucky today.” He added: “The Ho Chi Minh City women's club deserved to win. They are a team with strong collective strength.”
Stallion capitalized on his physique, high pressing, and first-half opportunities.
The Philippine representatives took the initiative to attack from the start, exploiting their physical advantage to compete aggressively and apply high-pressure tactics. According to coach Ernest Nierras, in the first half, his team "organized effective attacks and created many opportunities." On numerous occasions, Stallion's crosses and aerial challenges put goalkeeper Kim Thanh's goal under pressure.
The pitch wasn't in optimal condition, but that was a common challenge for both teams. Nierras clarified: "Today, the pitch conditions weren't ideal, but that was a shared difficulty for both sides." In that context, every set piece became a crucial weapon – and Ho Chi Minh City successfully capitalized on them.
Adjustments in Ho Chi Minh City after the break.
Coach Nguyen Hong Pham admitted that his team had a difficult first 45 minutes against Stallion's physical pressure and high-pressing style of play: "The opposing team took advantage of their physical and stamina advantages and played a high-pressing game, forcing us to retreat and lose control of the game."
After the break, Ho Chi Minh City proactively pushed their formation forward to regain control. “The opening match is always difficult, not only for men's football but also for women's football… After the break, Ho Chi Minh City women's club pushed their formation forward and managed to create a balance,” coach Nguyen Hong Pham shared. The more balanced game opened up a decisive opportunity from a penalty kick for the home team, and Huynh Nhu did not miss.
Match pace and playing conditions
Stallion controlled the tempo in the first half, while Ho Chi Minh City opted to adjust their pace and spacing after the break. On the imperfect pitch, set pieces and concentration in crucial moments became key – the difference lay in the accuracy of Huynh Nhu's shot.
Post-match reaction
Nierras emphasized his satisfaction with the team's performance, despite the less-than-ideal result. He attributed Ho Chi Minh City's victory to collective strength and a quality moment from a decisive set-piece. Conversely, the Ho Chi Minh City coaching staff acknowledged the specific difficulties of the opening match and the value of tactical adjustments after halftime.
Next schedule
Matches on November 16th:
- Ho Chi Minh City will face Lion City Sailors.
- Stallion Laguna will face Melbourne (the league leaders).
The opening victory gives Ho Chi Minh City a psychological boost for the road ahead, while Stallion still showed many positive signs from their control of the game in the first half and their ability to create opportunities against a highly-rated opponent.
