Nam Định vs Gamba Osaka: Aiming to Secure at Least a Draw (19:15, November 5, Live on K+, AFC Champions League Two)

05/11/2025 06:55:00 ScoreStream

The home ground advantage was not enough for Nam Định FC to gain dominance over Gamba Osaka; furthermore, they face difficulties even in achieving a single point.

In Group F of the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Two after three matches, Gamba Osaka leads with a flawless 9 points, with Nam Định trailing by 3 points. The 1-3 defeat in the first leg in Japan not only caused Nam Định to lose the advantage in the race for the top spot against Gamba Osaka but also highlighted the weaknesses and gaps of the V-League representative.

Gamba Osaka had overwhelming ball control in the previous match. They launched more than 15 shots, while Nam Định managed only one shot on target. Differences in fitness, transition speed, and quality were clearly exposed.

In the rematch for the second leg, coach Nguyễn Trung Kiên’s team can make the game more balanced playing at their home Thiên Trường Stadium. However, without improving defensive quality and ball control in midfield, the home side’s aim of earning one point remains a major challenge against a stable and offensively potent Gamba Osaka.

Gamba Osaka is also maintaining stability in both the J-League and continental competitions. They have won 3 of their last 4 games and demonstrated a balance between offense and defense, which helps the team lead Group F.

Returning to the continental stage, Nam Định FC uses more foreign players, but injuries and the inconsistency of these reinforcements remain a big question. Brenner recently regained his scoring form against HAGL, but Romulo, Hudlin, and Percy Tau remain unpredictable.

Nam Định (in white) despite playing at home, still faces a tough challenge to beat Gamba Osaka (in dark kits). Photo: Nhật Anh

Lucao and Walber are two key defenders but often overloaded when facing a fast-paced team. Visiting Thiên Trường, Gamba Osaka will field their strongest squad according to reports from Japanese media about their personnel situation.

Coach Dani Poyatos continues to trust striker Hummet, who has scored 4 goals in AFC Champions League Two, along with creative play from wingers Keisuke Kurokawa and Usami. Most likely in tonight’s game, Gamba Osaka will maintain a 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing attacks down the left flank where Văn Kiên and Lucao may leave gaps when advancing.

With Usami and Keisuke Kurokawa providing width from the wings, the space behind Nam Định’s full-backs is a potentially dangerous area. Nam Định needs at least one point to keep hopes alive to advance, especially after six winless matches in the V-League and the 1-3 defeat in the first leg.

If Nam Định loses again at home to Gamba Osaka, they could be caught by Ratchaburi FC (Thailand) for second place in Group F if the Thai club beats Eastern Sports Club (Hong Kong, China).

Nam Định has home advantage but that edge does not seem to be a significant barrier for a professional and confident team like Gamba Osaka. Clearly, the most practical objective for coach Nguyễn Trung Kiên’s squad is to secure a draw.

However, to earn at least one point, Nam Định must reinforce their defense and establish solidity starting from the midfield. Otherwise, a rapid defeat like in the first leg could easily happen again.

Prediction: 1-1.

Expected lineups

Nam Định: Caique, Văn Kiên, Walber, Lucao, Dijks, Brenner, Romulo, Hudlin, Hansen, Muzi Tau, Eid Mahmoud

Gamba Osaka: Higashiguchi, Kurokawa, Nakatani, Miura, Handa, Mito, Suzuki, Yamashita, Usami, Okunuki, Hummet

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