The Singapore team coach admits difficulties when facing Nam Dinh FC

The head coach of Lion City Sailors highly praises Nam Dinh and admits his team is facing challenges with player availability.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference before the fourth round match against Lion City Sailors in Group B of the Southeast Asian Club Championship – Shopee Cup 2025/26, Mauro Jerónimo, the head coach of the home team Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, expressed great respect for the Singaporean opponent and confirmed his determination to win.

On the other side, Aleksandar Rankovic, head coach of Lion City Sailors FC, acknowledged that his team is facing considerable difficulties due to registration rules, some players being ineligible, and one injury case.

Regarding Thep Xanh Nam Dinh, the Serbian strategist considers them one of the strongest opponents Lion City Sailors have faced this season. “They possess excellent quality, both foreign and local players. This is a challenge and a significant test for us.” Given the thin squad, Mr. Rankovic prioritizes showing resilience, toughness, and intelligent play, while hoping for a fair match and striving for a positive result.

Aleksandar Rankovic also expressed his fondness for Vietnam on his second visit. He shared his admiration for the friendly people, cuisine, weather, culture, and history, and mentioned he is trying to learn more about the country and its people.

From a technical perspective, the head coach of Thep Xanh Nam Dinh stated that the team has learned from early-season experiences to improve their defensive system. Meanwhile, the attack is performing well, with several players capable of creating breakthroughs. Notably, the return of striker Nguyen Xuan Son is seen as a significant boost.

Meanwhile, central defender Lucas Alves mentioned that the long break made him and his teammates eager to play more regularly, but the team has used this time effectively to strengthen their lineup. “Currently leading the group is proof of the collective effort. We always maintain high focus and align with the coaching staff’s goals, which is to perform well and secure a spot in the semifinals,” Lucas Alves emphasized.