Brazilian center-back determined to win without conceding against Cambodian club

Brazilian center-back Lucas Araujo confirmed that Thep Xanh Nam Dinh aims to win and maintain a shutout in their clash with Svay Rieng (Cambodia) at the ASEAN Club Championship.

Thep Xanh Nam Dinh is going through a challenging start to the season. After losing to Ninh Binh in the V-League, the Nam Dinh team immediately entered the first round of the ASEAN Club Championship facing the Cambodian club Svay Rieng.

Before the match, the Brazilian center-back Lucas Araujo openly shared his thoughts about the team's situation. “We didn’t have much time to prepare for the game against Svay Rieng since we played just two days ago. However, the coaching staff has clearly analyzed the opponent and devised tactical plans. The most important goal is to secure the win. To achieve that, the defense must stay fully focused – something we haven’t managed since the season began,” Araujo emphasized.

One major challenge for Nam Dinh is the absence of defender Thanh Hao due to injury. Nevertheless, according to the ASEAN Club Championship regulations, each team can field up to 7 foreign players (including 1 player of Asian origin). Thanks to this, Nam Dinh can still deploy an almost full-strength lineup.

It is likely that coach Vu Hong Viet will keep his lineup similar to the one used against Ratchaburi in the recent AFC Champions League Two match. Stability in personnel and reliance on foreign players are viewed as key factors for Nam Dinh to aim for their first 3 points in the regional tournament.

Lucas Araujo also highlighted the importance of keeping a clean sheet: “The team's objective is to win and not concede any goals. This is something we need to improve immediately to regain our confidence.”

The match against Svay Rieng is expected to be tough, as the Cambodian side is known for their physical style and strong teamwork. However, with home advantage and determination to recover after a poor start, Thep Xanh Nam Dinh still holds high hopes from their supporters.

A victory over Svay Rieng will not only relieve pressure on Nam Dinh but also open the door for them to compete for advancement in the 2025/26 ASEAN Club Championship. This will be a crucial turning point for coach Vu Hong Viet’s team to regain confidence for the long journey ahead in both domestic and international competitions.