The secret to SLNA goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh's resurgence.

It's worth noting that the SLNA captain, who only recently returned to the pitch after an injury that kept him out all season last year, has already delivered some impressive performances. The goalkeeper wearing the number 1 jersey for the Nghe An team currently holds two V.League records this season: firstly, keeping a clean sheet in 6 out of 8 matches; secondly, having kept a clean sheet in 6 out of 8 games. He has also been named Man of the Match once, a distinction only two other goalkeepers have achieved so far.

An impressive comeback

Interestingly, while the teams are ranked in order as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and SLNA, the goalkeepers' clean sheet rankings are reversed. Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh is first with 5 clean sheets, followed by goalkeeper Van Cong with 5, and goalkeeper Thanh Thang with 4 (along with goalkeeper Tuan Linh of Than Quang Ninh, who also has 4).

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh has kept 5 clean sheets in 8 rounds of matches. (Photo: VPF)

To date, after 8 rounds, 16 goalkeepers have been listed as having kept at least one clean sheet. In the 56 matches played so far, out of 34 instances where goalkeepers have kept a clean sheet, SLNA has accounted for 6, a rather surprising number. Even before his injury in the 2016 season, Nguyen Manh only kept a clean sheet in 2 out of 8 matches, and in the 2017 season, that number was 0 out of 8.

Of goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's five conceded goals, two came from the pressure exerted by Thanh Luong and Quang Hai, while the remaining three were from set pieces, including one penalty. Even in the 0-4 defeat at Hang Day Stadium, SLNA's defense, including goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, did not concede any goals from counter-attacks. This represents a significant improvement in the team's defensive system this season.

Except for facing the formidable Hanoi team, who scored four goals against goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, only the visiting team B.Binh Duong, specifically former national team player Le Tan Tai, has managed to score one goal against SLNA so far.

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh was selected as one of the best players of the match in Round 7. (Photo: VPF)

What contributed to Nguyen Manh's success?

What has allowed SLNA's defense and goalkeeper Nguyen Manh to concede only 5 goals in 8 rounds, with 6 clean sheets? Firstly, SLNA has fundamentally changed its defensive personnel, with the addition of foreign center-back Damir Memović, who stands at 1.91m tall, significantly strengthening their backline.

Damir Memović plays with great commitment, tenacity, and is quite good at defending against aerial balls, thus improving on SLNA's weaknesses from previous seasons. Goalkeeper Nguyên Mạnh also doesn't have to work as hard to defend against aerial balls as before. Playing alongside this foreign player, center-back Văn Khánh is much more confident and therefore makes fewer mistakes. Not having to constantly jump and get caught up in the exhausting style of play of the foreign striker, Văn Khánh's stamina is sufficient to play for 90 minutes.

The two wingers, Dinh Dong and Dinh Hoang, effectively blocked all routes to goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's goal. The left wing, a persistent weakness of the Nghe An team, was largely neutralized; Dinh Dong played solidly, possessed clever tactics, and committed few fouls near the goal.

The reason for conceding 4 goals at Hang Day Stadium was that Dinh Hoang lacked the support of midfielders to allow Quang Hai and Thanh Luong to overlap and exploit the flanks. Currently, the two full-backs also don't dare to push forward to attack for fear of leaving their flanks exposed, especially in matches where Quang Tinh starts.

It's impossible not to mention Van Binh's role as a "sweeper" in front of the central defensive pair of Van Khanh and Damir Memović. This midfielder plays quietly and discreetly, but with great skill, cunning, and tenacity. In addition, Olaha's presence in the 16.5-meter area during the opponent's set-piece situations also neutralized many dangerous opportunities.

In addition, Nguyên Mạnh's desire to contribute to SLNA after a long period of injury, along with the lessons learned from a season of observing from the sidelines, has helped this goalkeeper become more confident in his performance.