HCM CITY — The Vietnamese representative in the AFC Cup, Becamex Binh Duong, are aiming for their first win in group F as they take on Victory FC of Maldives at home today.

In Binh Duong, a passionate crowd of 20,000 will cheer them on after their draw against Selangor in the opening match away in Malaysia last month.

"All players resumed training yesterday after the draw [in the V-League] against Hoa Phat Ha Noi on Sunday," Binh Duong head coach Mai Duc Chung said.

"We are ready for the match."

Last year Binh Duong had thrashed Valencia, another Maldivian club, 8-0 in the group stage.

"Victory FC are certainly different from Valencia.

"The match today will be difficult but we prepared well for it.

Binh Duong, who have the three top strikers in the V-League, have not scored in their last four matches.

"We have been suffering a series of jinxes in recent matches. We've played well and attacked more and created many chances but no goals came."

Binh Duong, who reached the last four of Asia's second-rung competition – teams from powerhouses Japan, Iran, and Korea play in the AFC Champions League – last year before losing to Syria's Al Karamah, are confident of a win.

"Although Victory FC are not an easy opponent, I believe my team will end with three points," Nguyen Van Hiep, the club's manager, said.

"Binh Duong are a really strong team and we hope we will do something good and the better side will win the game," Victory FC head coach Ali Suzain said.

"We have seven national players – a goalkeeper, two central defenders, two midfielders, and two strikers – in our team and we can play on equal terms with Binh Duong. In group F, all four teams have a point each after the first round. — VNS