Why has Hanoi FC's performance declined?
(Baonghean.vn) - Losing 2 out of their last 3 matches, coupled with a decline in form, has made it more difficult for Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's team to defend their V.League championship title.
The recent 0-2 defeat against Nam Ha Nam Dinh FC was the capital team's second consecutive away loss in the V.League 2019 so far. It seems that Nguyen Quang Hai and his teammates are no longer the same after a period of continuous competition across various tournaments, including the AFC Champions League, AFC Cup, National Super Cup, and V.League (20 matches).
The demanding match schedule and long travel distances from Hang Day Stadium to other venues are the main reasons for the decline in physical fitness of Hanoi FC players. Not to mention, players like Nguyen Quang Hai, Do Duy Manh, Pham Duc Huy, and Doan Van Hau have also been constantly present in matches for the Vietnamese national team at the 2018 AFF Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. The injury to center-back Do Duy Manh is evidence of the overload experienced by Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's players.
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| Defender Do Duy Manh is currently sidelined due to injury. Photo: zing.vn |
Another reason for Hanoi FC's disappointing performance recently is the lack of focus from Nguyen Quang Hai and his teammates. It seems the players are becoming complacent and overconfident after easy victories at the beginning of the season. The two losses against Thanh Hoa FC (1-4) and Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh FC (0-2) partly reflect this situation.
A defeat at this point will force Hanoi to realize a problem: don't think of yourself as the champion or that you are invincible.
Speaking after the match against Thanh Hoa FC in round 9, coach Chu Dinh Nghiem himself admitted: “This defeat at this time will help Hanoi realize a problem: don't think you're the champion or that you can't be defeated. Thinking like that will cost you dearly. After this loss, Hanoi must reassess itself to move forward. Players must strive to respect their opponents. Lack of respect can easily lead to serious consequences.”
Thus, the risk of repeating the mistakes of the 2017 V.League season is clearer than ever for Mr. Hien's team. Remember, in the 2017 season, Hanoi FC also faced a similar situation, with the reigning V.League champions having to spread their resources thin across both domestic competitions (V.League, National Cup) and international competitions (AFC Cup). As a result, Hanoi FC finished the 2017 V.League season in third place overall (Quang Nam FC won the championship).
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| Hanoi FC is showing signs of complacency this season. Photo: zing.vn |
Despite being among the best players in the 2019 V.League, Nguyen Quang Hai and his teammates are still just human beings. And as humans, their strength is limited. Therefore, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem's players cannot avoid feeling tired and lacking concentration at certain times. What Hanoi FC is experiencing is simply normal in football.
Currently, coach Chu Đình Nghiêm's team has reached the semi-finals of the AFC Cup 2019, while in the V.League, they are temporarily in second place in the standings (behind Ho Chi Minh City FC).
It is highly likely that Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Doan Van Hau, Tran Dinh Trong, Do Hung Dung, Pham Duc Huy, and others will be assigned to the Vietnam national team and the Vietnam U23 team.
Fans of the capital's team have reason to worry, because coach Chu Đình Nghiêm's players are not just footballing machines.
