Former SLNA deputy coach Pham Anh Tuan: The man 'taking the lead' in Hai Phong

Ahead of the 2021 season, Hai Phong city leaders issued an "ultimatum" requiring teachers and students toCoach Pham Anh Tuanmust enter the TOP 5 in the V.League arena, otherwise the "captain" will be fired. According to experts, this is a goal beyond the reach of Nguyen Van Toan and his teammates. Simply, the quality of Hai Phong's squad is only average in this year's V.League.

"Without flour, there is no glue". The appearance of Nguyen Phu Nguyen, Nguyen Huu Khoi or the return of Diego Fagan, Jeremie Lynch, Phan Dinh Vu Hai, Lam Quy is not enough to help the Hai Phong team truly "change skin, change flesh". In recent matches, Hai Phong still had to rely on the ability to "measure the coat according to the cloth" of the coaching staff and the brilliance of individuals.

Coach Pham Anh Tuan (far left). Photo: VPF

Objectively speaking, the three victories against Viettel (1-0), Nam Dinh (3-2) and B. Binh Duong (1-0) were not entirely due to the excellent performance of Coach Pham Anh Tuan's players, but partly due to the "suicide" of their opponents. The proof is that when facing teams with diverse and smooth playing styles (Hanoi Club, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Than Quang Ninh, HAGL), Hai Phong immediately had to accept defeat.

The more they play, the more coach Pham Anh Tuan's players expose their shortcomings, creating opportunities for the opponent to exploit. Meanwhile, the defense relies too much on the talent of goalkeeper Nguyen Van Toan, while the offense relies too much on the excellence of foreign players. Diego Fagan and Jeremie Lynch are not always "healthy" and are also eager to contribute.

Up to now, after 7 matches atV.League 2021, very rarely, Hai Phong has all 3 foreign players present on the field. Diego Fagan has just recovered from injury, then it is Jeremie Lynch's turn to be unable to play for the same reason. Typically, in the 0-2 loss to HAGL, coach Pham Anh Tuan could only use captain Diego Fagan and only until the 80th minute had to replace him.

. Main striker Jeremie Lynch (yellow shirt) is injured. Photo: VPF

Through that, it can be seen how much of a headache Coach Pham Anh Tuan has been having with the personnel problem of his team. Obviously, with this situation, if Hai Phong continues to fall freely on the V.League 2021 rankings in the near future, it is not too surprising. Because, the Hai Phong team is both weak and lacking.

Perhaps, as the person "taking the lead", once Hai Phong fails to complete the goal, most likely, Coach Pham Anh Tuan will have to bear all the responsibility, even though the fault is not entirely his./.