4:00 PM on February 9th, HA.GL vs SLNA: Change or complete defeat!?

HA.GL desperately needs a win to relieve the pressure after a series of disappointing opening matches. But ahead of them is the formidable SLNA...

Despite playing at home, it will still be very difficult for HA.GL (in blue) to defeat SLNA.

Running around a lot doesn't lead to strategy.

In the 1-4 defeat against HN.T&T (round 2) and the 2-2 draw against DT.LA (round 3), one thing was clear: HA.GL was facing many problems. In other words, coach Choi Yoon-gyum was struggling to solve the complex puzzle he had in his hands.

For example, in the match against HN.T&T, Coach Choi's intention to use wing attacks was anticipated by his counterpart, Phan Thanh Hung. Coach Hung proactively pushed the wing forwards to closely mark HA.GL's wing players. This left the team from Pleiku struggling, relying solely on long passes to their forwards, Timothy and Felix, to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, their two foreign players performed very poorly in that match.

In the match against DT.LA, Coach Choi's team also only played one tactic: long balls, and most of their attacks were thwarted by the home team outside the 16.5-meter box. Fortunately for them, in the second half, DT.LA slowed down, allowing HA.GL to snatch a point after leading by two goals.

A PEACEWARE PROTECT?

In round 3, SLNA lost to Thanh Hoa, who took all three points at Vinh Stadium. Therefore, coach Huu Thang and his players will have to find every way to secure a favorable result at Pleiku Stadium if they don't want to be left far behind by their equally ambitious rivals in the early rounds. SLNA is not a team that plays an attacking style, nor do they employ elaborate, intricate tactics. Efficiency is paramount for this team.

In this match, the absence of Doan Sakda (red card) and Quy Suu (injury) will cause significant difficulties for the home team's midfield. Coach Choi has considered moving center-back Nguyen Hoang Helio up to play as a defensive midfielder. This is not a bad solution, but its effectiveness remains to be seen, as SLNA is no stranger to their "former player" and Helio has gained a lot of weight compared to before.

In short, HA.GL may have the advantage of timing and location, but SLNA has the advantage of "human harmony." This afternoon, if both sides manage to get one point each, it would be a good result for everyone involved.

Force information

+ HA.GL: Missing Doan Sakda (red card), Van Nhien and Quy Suu are injured.

+ SLNA: Hoang Thinh and Sy Sam are injured.

PREDICTED LINEUP

HA.GL: Bassey; Minh Hoang, Huu Long, Ngoc Luan, Van Pho, Van Long, Tran Vu, Hoang Helio, Duc Duong, Timothy, Felix Onyedika.

SLNA: Nguyen Manh; Dinh Dong, Ngoc Hai, Minh Duc, Dinh Hoang; Phi Son, Quang Tinh, Hong Viet, Moriera, Biayaga, Rodrigues Ndjodo.

According to Bongdaplus