Thanh Hoa: Vietnam’s Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC will hope to take another step closer to the knockout stages of the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ when they face Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC on Wednesday.
Thanh Hóa FC are second in Group A of the Shopee Cup – level on points with BG Pathum United and trailing toppers PSM Makassar. But with three points, Svay Rieng FC are not too far behind and a win in the penultimate group stage fixture will help them overtake their opponents.
Velizar Popov’s Thanh Hóa FC kicked off their Shopee Cup campaign with a 3-1 win against Myanmar’s Shan United FC last August, but they have since then played out back-to-back draws against Terengganu FC and BG Pathum United.
Captain Doan Ngoc Tan scored a stunner as the Vietnamese side held the Rabbits to a 1-1 draw in their last outing, but they will be fancying their chances of returning to winning ways when they return to play at home for the first time since their opening win.
Thanh Hóa FC, who are fighting for the V.League 1 title this season, have only suffered one defeat in 11 league games this season and are riding a 12-match unbeaten streak heading into this fixture.
Svay Rieng FC, meanwhile, are still looking for their first points in the competition since a thrilling 3-2 away win against Malaysia’s Terengganu FC in their Shopee Cup opener.
Narrow defeats to BG Pathum United and Indonesia’s PSM Makassar since then mean they will need to win against Thanh Hóa FC in order to keep their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive heading into the final game of the group stage next month.
Josep Munoz’s side come into this game at Than Hoa Stadium on the back of a commanding 9-0 cup win against Kep and are unbeaten in 10 matches in the Cambodian Premier League as they look to defend their title amidst a strong challenge from Phnom Penh Crown FC.
With the Shopee Cup entering its business end, the stakes could not be any higher for both Thanh Hóa FC and Svay Rieng FC as they fight to keep their championship dreams alive.
Photo: Đông Á Thanh Hóa FC
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