Tactical mark of coach Huy Hoang

After round 6 of V-League 1-2022, SLNA is in the top 3 teams, only 1 point behind Hai Phong and Hanoi FC. However, it should be noted that SLNA has only played 5 matches (round 5 off), so the above results may change if the Vinh home team wins the "make-up match", which is all 6 upcoming matches. That is an exciting result for the team under young coach Huy Hoang, with new and flexible tactical marks.

Huy Hoang was chosen by a VTVCab sports program as the "Best Coach of Round 6 V-League 1-2022" for his ability to adapt, helping the team overcome difficulties to win convincingly against Ho Chi Minh City Club.

Coach Huy Hoang holds the sandbox, researches and learns the new playing style that is bringing success to Vietnamese football. Photo: document

SLNA was “born and raised” with a consistent, familiar 4-4-2 formation. In the team’s previous series of poor performances, in addition to the shortage due to internal force loss, the weakness and wooden legs of foreign players, what many people recognized and heavily criticized was the conservative, inherent tactics. Someone boldly said: “Before entering the match, you can know how SLNA will arrange the formation and how it will play!”

When Huy Hoang holds the table, the new playing style that is bringing success to Vietnamese football under Mr. Park Hang-seo (or more broadly, the tactics that made Chelsea the world's top team under Coach Tuchel) is researched and learned.

SLNA entered the 2022 season with a reinforced force of both domestic and foreign players, a new tactic was applied as many people know. That is the 3-5-2 tactical formation with the trio of central defenders Van Khanh - Ngoc Hai - Ba Sang (or Khac Luong). The two attacking full-backs include Dinh Hoang on the right and Xuan Manh on the left.

The 3-man midfield line is always changed to suit the reality, but always "nailed" Van Duc to play on the left and ready to move inside, the center is foreign midfielder Ojong Mark, plus young factors such as Van Lam, Xuan Tien, Van Bach, Xuan Binh... The attack line is of course assigned the full responsibility to Olaha and Oseni.

The good thing about SLNA during the Huy Hoang era was their quick and appropriate responses to each match. Foreign midfielder Ojong Mark played better and better with his teammates and played extremely well in the win over HAGL (2-0), the draw with Saigon FC (1-1) but unfortunately got injured after the Four Heroes Cup.

In the recent match against Ho Chi Minh City FC, Xuan Manh was deployed for the first time as a holding midfielder and the SLNA squad still operated smoothly as if nothing had happened. This new and effective discovery beyond expectations helped Huy Hoang have another necessary option when Ojong Mark had not returned, proving the boldness and exploration of the coach and the necessary versatility of each player.

Xuan Manh was also named the best player in the defensive midfielder position by the above sports program, which is a great encouragement for both teachers and students after round 6 of the V-League.

When SLNA played with a reduced squad (Dinh Hoang was given a red card), Huy Hoang made a very noticeable adjustment. That was the team switched to playing a defensive 4-4-1 formation.

Ba Sang moved from right center back to right back, Van Khanh - Ngoc Hai played as a pair of center backs - Sy Hoang retreated to left back. The attack only had Oseni, pulling Olaha back to left midfield. This formation ensured tight defense on both wings and center, and at the same time, quick transitions thanks to the mobility of Xuan Manh, Olaha and Van Duc.

The goal that increased the score to 2-0 in SLNA's shorthanded situation proved that perfectly when Van Duc showed the quickness and class of a national team player when winning the ball, coordinating and rarely stretching to pass the ball in a difficult position, setting up his teammates to score, crushing all the opponents' efforts.

That said, innovation in tactical diagrams is necessary for SLNA but will not or will not be enough if there is a lack of flexibility and creativity when reality requires it. Huy Hoang through the first 5 matches in V-League-2022 quickly showed that he is a newcomer, a young person but not as confused, stumbling or immature as usual.

Of course, the 1-2 home loss to T. Binh Dinh is a valuable lesson. Taking the lead but then having to draw 1-1 in the match against Saigon FC is also a suitable lesson on preserving favorable results on away field...

Ahead are matches with strong opponents both on the field and in the technical area, including the match in round 7 at home against neighbor Hong Linh Ha Tinh. This "dark horse" team has just had 2 consecutive wins and coach Thanh Cong has just received the title of "Best coach of round 5 V-League1-2022".

It will be an interesting confrontation between 2 coaches and 2 teams that understand each other to the core and at this time, it is too early to say which cat will bite which mouse. Therefore, let's wait and see what tricks and tactics the 2 former SLNA players, now 2 young coaches in V-League, will use to win for their team!