Former SLNA midfielder Ngo Xuan Toan: 'Multi-purpose machine' of Saigon FC
(Baonghean.vn) - At the end of the 2018 season, Ngo Xuan Toan decided to join Saigon FC amid the skepticism of many experts and football fans in Nghe An. But now, the player from Hung Nguyen (Nghe An) is asserting his position at Thong Nhat Stadium, with his efforts and versatility.
It is true that "all beginnings are difficult". Right in the first official match for Saigon FC, against Nam Ha Nam Dinh Pharmaceuticals in round 1 of V.League 2019, Ngo Xuan Toan was the one who scored an "own goal" (minute 90+3), contributing to the home team's defeat with a score of 1 - 3. A disastrous debut for both Ngo Xuan Toan and the Saigon team.
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| Ngo Xuan Toan played for SLNA for 2 seasons (2017 - 2018). Photo courtesy of Duc Anh |
However, in the following matches, the former SLNA midfielder proved his inherent ability. Whether playing as a central midfielder or left winger in the 4-1-4-1 or 4-4-1-1 formation of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong, the player born in 1993 also completed the assigned tasks quite excellently. According to statistics, in V.League 2019, Ngo Xuan Toan played 23 matches and scored 2 goals (against Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam).
Entering this year's season, Ngo Xuan Toan has to face difficulties and challenges. In addition to the big change in the team's management (coach Hoang Van Phuc resigned), the 27-year-old player also suffered an injury (strained hamstring). In the first two matches of the V.League 2020 of Saigon FC, against SLNA and SHB Da Nang, Ngo Xuan Toan was not on the list of players.
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| Currently, Ngo Xuan Toan (number 29) is a mainstay of Saigon FC. Photo: VPF |
It was thought that Ngo Xuan Toan's familiar position in the near future would be on the bench, because the Saigon FC attack line has many "star" faces. However, with tireless efforts, the midfielder wearing the number 29 shirt has gradually won the trust of Chairman and Coach Vu Tien Thanh. Perhaps, what the Saigon FC coaching staff likes most about Ngo Xuan Toan is his aggressiveness, strength and determination in his playing style.
Since the return of V.League 2020 after a temporary break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ngo Xuan Toan has always been highly regarded by the Saigon FC coaching staff. 7 times in the starting lineup and 2 times as a substitute (571 minutes in total) are clear proof. It is easy to understand why Ngo Xuan Toan is in the TOP of players who have played the most for Saigon FC, up to this point of the season.
The fact that Ngo Xuan Toan has not scored any goals is not a serious problem for coach Vu Tien Thanh.
Just play with enthusiasm like in the past matches, a starting position in the attack line is always reserved for the player from Hung Nguyen (Nghe An). Simply, the task of scoring and creating goals is taken care of by the foreign duo Pedro Paulo - Geovane Magno. Therefore, Ngo Xuan Toan just needs to run and fight for the ball to create space for his teammates to exploit.
Another noteworthy detail is that Ngo Xuan Toan can take on many different positions, from central midfielder, left midfielder to right midfielder. Thanks to Ngo Xuan Toan's versatility, coach Vu Tien Thanh will find it easier to arrange the starting lineup, make substitutions, and change tactics in each match and at each specific time. This is a significant advantage of Ngo Xuan Toan compared to his other teammates./.
