8 'best' things of SLNA in 2019 season

SLNA had a season that is difficult to praise or criticize. But certainly, the identity of the 40-year-old team has faded a lot. A team whose only strength is defense will hardly have good results.

1. Most disappointing streak

Starting from the 7th match, a 0-0 draw with Nam Dinh at Vinh Stadium to the 12th match, a draw with Saigon at Thong Nhat Stadium, the Nghe An team had a series of 5 draws and 1 loss. In which, there were 2 0-0 draws with Nam Dinh and S.Khanh Hoa, the teams at the bottom of the rankings, right at Vinh Stadium, causing complete disappointment to the audience.

Song Lam Nghe An was held to a draw by bottom team S. Khanh Hoa at Vinh Stadium. Photo courtesy

2. The best match at Vinh Stadium

Quang Tinh scored 3 goals for SLNA in the 2019 season. Photo courtesy of BNA

It was a 3-0 victory over HAGL, which included many national team players. A match in which Tuan Tai, Quang Tinh, Olaha shone and scored, but overall, the Nghe players took the initiative to hold the ball, divide the opponent, and create the necessary pressure so that the opponent could not approach the SLNA goal.

3. The most regrettable match

That was the 1-2 reverse loss at Thong Nhat Stadium against Ho Chi Minh City. Junior Tuan Tai opened the score very early but Quang Tinh dropped the victory with an unfortunate red card.

In the first leg, SLNA could not bring home 1 point at Thong Nhat Stadium despite playing with great determination. Photo courtesy of Nguyet Ha

With such a God-given opportunity, Mr. Chung easily crushed the visiting team SLNA with 2 goals from foreign players Mansary and Akinade. If he had been more careful, SLNA would have lost even more.

4. The most glorious victory

Stands C and D of Go Dau stadium were filled with thousands of SLNA fans. Photo courtesy of Huu Thanh

This was a rare match where the Nghe An team attacked coherently and had smart passes, right on the pace of Vinicius's movements. A match where the midfield played the ball quite intelligently, Olaha did not have to retreat too deep to defend.

SLNA players celebrate the goal together. Photo: Archive

5. The most unforgettable defeat

No training matches, recruiting foreign players quite late, but coach Duc Thang and his team had a dream start with 2 wins and 1 draw in the opening match of the season.

Nghe An fans cover Hang Day stadium in gold. Photo courtesy of An Thanh

Although after the match, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem was quite polite when he said that "only SLNA is the opponent that prevents them from winning the championship", but experts have accurately determined the ability of SLNA's teachers and students.

6. Player with most appearances

Vo Ngoc Toan in the match against HAGL. Photo: FBNV

To improve, Ngoc Toan's departure is considered reasonable for both sides, but whether this midfielder's playing style is suitable for coach Le Huynh Duc or not is a question mark.

7. Best player

Center back D. Memović is SLNA's best player in the 2019 V.League season. Playing in 25/26 matches, scoring 1 goal, this defender was the shield for the Nghe An team last season.

Memovic (number 4) had an excellent season in SLNA's shirt. Photo: VPF

D. Memović plays quite simply, mainly accurately predicting the opponent's attacking intentions to intervene early. Playing with this Serbian foreign player, center-back Van Khanh also matured. With a height of 1.91m, this steel center-back successfully neutralized the high ball attacks.

Perhaps HAGL will have to thank SLNA's coaching staff a lot for helping them not spend a penny on transfers to have the best foreign player contract in the last 10 years for the Vinh team.

8. Most impressive player

Teammates celebrate with Ho Tuan Tai, SLNA player who scored 8 goals in V.League 2019. Photo: Duc Anh

None other than Ho Tuan Tai with 8 goals after 15 matches. The 24-year-old player's ability to sense the position has improved a lot after 5 years playing for SLNA. Not Olaha, Vinicius but Tuan Tai is the player who scored the most goals for the Nghe An team. What is quite worrying is that Tuan Tai only has 1 year left on his contract with SLNA.