Binh Duong vs Ho Chi Minh - Friendlies Clubs

The Friendlies Clubs returns to the home ground on August 23, 2026, where Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh will lock horns in a contest that could shape their respective campaigns. Real have been keen to sign the Spain captain from Manchester City, but they now face competition from Barcelona for the 30-year-old, who has a year remaining on his contract at the Etihad.

There is little to choose between Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh on paper, and the Friendlies Clubs encounter should reflect that balance. The hosts will be looking to find their rhythm and put a run of results together. Ho Chi Minh will travel with intent, knowing that a positive result here could kick-start their campaign. Central midfield remains a position Leeds are keen to add in despite so far failing to reach an agreement with Southampton for Shea Charles.

Wing play is likely to be central to the contest. Binh Duong will look to stretch the pitch and isolate their wide attackers, while Ho Chi Minh must find a way to compress the space and choke the supply lines. Tuesday's print edition of ABC, as relayed by Sport Witness, have claimed that Betis turned down a €50m approach from a wealthy non-Premier League club for Antony.

Game-changers are scattered across both line-ups, and the contest may well be decided by which side's match-winners deliver on the day. Set-piece specialists and aerial threats on both sides mean dead-ball situations could carry outsized importance. Midfielder David Ozoh's shot from outside the penalty area was deflected wide, and from the resulting corner delivered by Joe Ward, defender Dion Sanderson met the ball at the far post but could only head the ball back across goal.

The market has yet to form a strong view, and the contest looks genuinely difficult to call. A share of the spoils looks the most probable outcome, with neither side holding a decisive edge — a 1-1 draw feels like a fitting result. Whatever the outcome, the Friendlies Clubs fixture promises a meaningful contest with real implications for both clubs. And Fonseca does not place too much weight on the decision of Roberto Martinez to omit him from the World Cup squad in favour of his Benfica team-mate Tomas Araujo.