Nghe Tinh Derby: The order to win

The homeowner is in a state of rapid decline.

Before the first leg of the derby, Nguyen Thanh Cong and his team were playing very well, they also played very well in the 0-1 loss to Song Lam Nghe An in round 7 of V.League 2022. However, from round 9 of V.League onwards, they only earned 4/21 points, especially, in this series of unsuccessful matches, Hong Linh Ha Tinh lost twice to the bottom team, Saigon Club, once lost at Thien Truong Stadium of Nam Dinh Club and was held to a draw by Ho Chi Minh City Club right at home. This means that Hong Linh Ha Tinh has played enough with the bottom teams, their remaining journey in V.League is with the teams at the top of the rankings. With 12th/13th place and only 2 points above the bottom team, Hong Linh Ha Tinh must make good use of all their home matches to escape relegation, including the match against Song Lam Nghe An this weekend.

Center back Janclesio is no longer himself compared to the beginning of the season. Photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

The decline of Hong Linh Ha Tinh comes from the injuries of key players such as Dinh Thanh Trung, Tran Phi Son and the poor performance of the three foreign players. In the last 5 matches, striker Paollo Oliveira has only scored 1 goal. Meanwhile, Captain Janclesio Almeida Santos is no longer himself when he continuously lets the opposing strikers pass, even in the 0-2 loss to Nam Dinh Club inRound 17 V.League, this Brazilian midfielder also scored an own goal, surprising goalkeeper Duong Quang Tuan.

Besides, Hong Linh Ha Tinh's performance at home is not really convincing. In 7 matches played at Ha Tinh's home field, coach Nguyen Thanh Cong's students only won 2, drew 1 and lost 4, this is 1 of 2 teams with the worst home field record in V.League 2022. When the home field is not a solid support for Hong Linh Ha Tinh, it is clear that this will be an opportunity for the away team Song Lam Nghe An to get a favorable result in this 18th round.

Waiting for the away team to end their winless streak

Coach Huy Hoang and his team are under great pressure from public opinion after a series of 5 winless matches in V.League 2022. Visiting the field of the opponent ranked second to last in the rankings is a great opportunity forLam River Nghe Anhave 1 win. Although Captain Que Ngoc Hai is still absent due to suspension, the replacement defenders are still playing quite well. With Hong Linh Ha Tinh being very strong in set pieces and high balls, the coaching staff of the Nghe An team certainly has plans to limit this strength of the opponent.

Oseni scored the only goal in the first leg. Photo: Chung Nguyen

On the attacking front, the performance of Song Lam Nghe An's attack in recent rounds has not been good, however, facing the loose defense of the home team will be a great opportunity for the Nghe strikers to relieve their thirst for goals. The central defender duo Janclesio and Trinh Van Loi are slow to move and do not cover each other well, so the through balls into the middle will be an opportunity for the Nghe strikers to break free to score.

Facing a Hong Linh Ha Tinh team that had to push up their formation to find a win, coach Nguyen Huy Hoang and his team could fully utilize their defensive counter-attacking style of play. Therefore, this is the basis for Nghe An fans to have faith in a victory for Song Lam Nghe An in this Nghe Tinh Derby.

The return leg of the Nghe Tinh Derby promises to be very exciting and fierce. Photo: Chung Nguyen

This is the first time Ha Tinh Stadium has hosted the Nghe Tinh Derby in the V.League tournament, however, it is likely that this will also be the first time that the home team Hong Linh Ha Tinh will have to taste the bitter fruit at home against the neighboring team Song Lam Nghe An. With the nature of a 6-point match, the match between Hong Linh Ha Tinh and Song Lam Nghe An promises to be very attractive and fierce.