Xuân Son did not play, yet Nam Định still achieved an impressive feat

The draw with Johor Darul Ta'zim helped Nam Định FC keep their unbeaten record, thus claiming the top spot in Group B and moving on to the ASEAN Club Championship semifinals.

Nam Định FC concluded the group stage of the ASEAN Club Championship with great determination by preserving their unbeaten record, thereby proudly advancing to the semifinals as leaders of Group B. The 1-1 draw against Johor Darul Ta'zim in the final match not only allowed the Nam team to achieve their sporting goal but also demonstrated a clear growth in their competitive spirit against top regional opponents.

Hosting the Malaysian representative at home, with both teams already qualified for the next round, the match between Nam Định and Johor Darul Ta'zim still attracted special attention. This game decided the group winner and served as a crucial "test of fire" before the knockout stage. Not relaxing despite having secured qualification, coach Mauro showed ambition by fielding nearly his strongest lineup, starting seven foreign players, with only Xuân Son missing due to suspension.

On the other side, Johor Darul Ta'zim showcased their status as a Southeast Asian football powerhouse by starting nine foreign players. Both teams began with intense spirit, high pace, and clear intentions to win in order to gain psychological and ranking advantages. The tightly contested match intensified from the early minutes, with both Nam Định and Johor applying pressing and launching continuous attacks.

The turning point came in the first half when Nam Định was awarded a penalty after a foul inside the box. Caio Cesar failed to beat goalkeeper Andoni from the spot, but Văn Vĩ quickly reacted to score on the rebound, giving the home team the lead. This goal not only relieved Nam Định’s pressure but also boosted their morale to maintain a balanced game against a highly rated opponent.

However, the experience and squad depth of Johor Darul Ta'zim showed at the decisive moment. In the 87th minute, Bergson – the brightest star for the visitors – capitalized on an opportunity to equalize, causing Nam Định to narrowly miss out on victory. Nevertheless, the 1-1 draw was enough for the Vietnamese team to preserve their place at the top of the group, finishing the group stage with 4 wins and 1 draw, a testament to their impressive consistency.

As group winners, Nam Định will face Selangor, another Malaysian team, in the semifinals. The two legs are scheduled for the second week of May, with Nam Định playing away in the first leg. Their unbeaten run in the group stage is not only a notable achievement but also a significant morale boost, giving coach Mauro’s squad confidence to aim for a deep run and affirm Vietnamese football’s status in the regional competition.