Nam Định FC head coach Mauro Jerónimo believes the best is yet to come from forward Nguyễn Xuân Son as the Vietnamese club seek to maintain their 100 percent record in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ when they face Lion City Sailors FC in a Group B clash on Thursday.
Following a lengthy injury spell with a broken leg, Xuân Son has scored five goals upon his return, including a hat-trick, to emerge as the tournament’s joint top scorer as Nam Định recorded three consecutive wins to be on the verge of qualifying for the knockout phase.
“We need to be patient,” said Jerónimo on Wednesday. “He has not played football regularly for almost a year, so he needs to progress step by step. We believe in his quality, especially his ability to score and arrive in the right moment.
“It is difficult to put a percentage on his form because he can always surprise you, like he did against Bangkok United FC when he still had the energy to score late in the match. He is not yet at his best, but he is getting closer and needs time.”
Nam Định’s Brazilian defender Lucas Alves added: “We are very happy to have him (Xuân Son) back. The start of the season was difficult for us, but his return has had a positive impact on the group His quality helps us and he will continue to improve step by step.”
Making their debut in the Shopee Cup™, the Vietnamese champions defeated PKR Svay Rieng 2-1 at home before beating Shan United FC 3-0, thanks to a hat-trick by Xuân Son. He then hit a brace in the 4-1 win on the road against Bangkok United which earned him a second Shopee Star of the Match award. Xuân Son is the only player to win the award multiple times this season.
Jerónimo hopes the Group B leaders will fire on all cylinders against the Singapore side following a mid-season break on the domestic front, where Nam Định sit in 10th place after winning the V. League 1 crown last season.
“Our preparation has gone very well, especially considering that we were without official matches for quite a long period. It was almost like returning to a pre-season,” said the Portuguese coach.
While finding the back of the net have been consistent – Nam Định’s nine goals put them level with Group B rivals Johor Darul Ta’zim for most goals scored through three games – Jerónimo has emphasised on defensive drills in training sessions.
“We were conceding too many goals, so we focused on being more aggressive without the ball, improving collective defending, transitions and set plays,” he explained.
“Offensively, I believe in the potential of the team.”
Lion City Sailors head coach Aleksandar Ranković knows his side need all three points to keep their semi-finals hopes alive after picking up one win, one draw and one loss to sit in fourth place in the group. Winning the Singapore Cup two weeks will serve as a confidence boost.
“We hope to continue that form, but what we have done in previous matches does not really matter tomorrow. Nam Định are one of the best teams we have faced this season.”
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