Facing Hanoi in the 1/8 round of the National Cup: A mid-term 'test' for SLNA players

(Baonghean.vn) - Meeting "arch-rival" Hanoi at My Dinh National Stadium in the National Cup match is the best opportunity for SLNA's domestic strikers to show themselves.

With the return leg of V.League 2017 only about a month away, SLNA is facing many difficulties in terms of personnel as the list of injured players of the Nghe An team has not been shortened.

SLNA regrettably lost 0-1 when meeting Hanoi in the first leg of V.League 2017. Photo: Trung Kien

In defense, Vo Ngoc Duc still has to practice separately in recent training sessions. Meanwhile, national player Dinh Hoang will only return to football after his teammates have played 3 matches in the second leg of the V.League. Midfielder Vo Ngoc Toan, after a long period of treatment, has not yet recovered 100% of his physical strength to practice with his teammates. In attack, young striker Phu Nguyen also has a spinal problem and will have to rest for a long time.

With the termination of Henry's contract, in the upcoming match at My Dinh Stadium, SLNA will only have one foreign player, Olaha. And this is a great opportunity for strikers like Van Duc and Tuan Tai. Van Duc has been rated as playing quite well recently.

If Ho Tuan Tai is allowed to play in this match, he will have a "test" before being called up by coach Nguyen Huu Thang to the national team to prepare for the 2019 Asian Cup qualifier against Jordan on June 13.

Even if SLNA had the strongest squad and the main players were not injured, SLNA would still have a hard time winning against Hanoi. More importantly, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem’s calculations were clearly shown in this match when the capital team decided to play at My Dinh Stadium with better grass instead of Hang Day Stadium.

With Hanoi Club's passing and small, smooth play, the grass on My Dinh Stadium is completely more advantageous for coach Chu Dinh Nghiem and his team.

In case SLNA launches the strongest lineup for testing, the defense will most likely be familiar names like Sy Nam, The Nhat with the central defender pair Van Khanh - Ngoc Hai. In the midfield, Phi Son, Khac Ngoc, The Cuong along with another central midfielder to replace Ngoc Toan such as Thanh Phong, Sy Sam.

The matches in the National Cup are very beneficial for young strikers like Ho Tuan Tai - Photo: Trung Kien.

In the forward line, Van Duc will certainly be put on the field by coach Nguyen Duc Thang to pair with Olaha or Tuan Tai. SLNA's 9x squad is unlikely to create a surprise against Hanoi, however, in the current context of numerous difficulties in the V.League, SLNA does not place too much emphasis on the goal of having to win.

In the first leg against this opponent at Hang Day Stadium, SLNA, with many difficulties, chose to play defensively to get 1 point. That was completely the right decision when the Nghe An team's midfield could not compete with Moses, Thanh Luong, Van Quyet or Quang Hai on the other side of the field.

In a tournament considered "no reward, no penalty" like the National Cup, SLNA can completely start the match with an open game.

During the first leg of V.League 2017, SLNA played and "adjusted" at the same time. SLNA's coaching staff was forced to practice basic techniques for young players from dribbling, keeping the ball, shooting to running.

Meeting a strong team like Hanoi when the return leg is near could be an opportunity for SLNA to gain momentum before welcoming new foreign players.

To prepare for this match, SLNA will travel to Hanoi on June 2, two days before the match as usual. As for Nghe An fans who are knowledgeable about football, they do not expect much from a win, but rather a mid-term exam for SLNA’s young players during the 13 matches of the first leg.

Trung Kien