The starting eleven of players from Nghe An province are capable of winning the V.League championship.

(Baonghean.vn) - Striker Nguyen Dinh Bao recently scored a goal against his hometown team, SLNA. Meanwhile, on the home side, his old friend Phi Son also proved his class. If SLNA adds these talented players from Nghe Tinh to their squad, they will certainly not fear any opponent in the V.League.

Players from Nghe An province currently playing in the V.League are highly regarded. Photo: Trung Kien

Goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh (SLNA)

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh saves a penalty in the Round of 16 of the 2017 National Cup. (Photo: Archival image)

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh began playing for the national team under coach Toshiya Miura. Although this is not the time when the captain of SLNA Club is in his best form, considering aspects of a goalkeeper such as reflexes, penalty saves, ball distribution, etc.

If Nguyen Manh is ranked second, it's hard to find the first. The goalkeeper born in 1991 is the number one choice of the Nghe An team in recent years. Still quite young (26), Nguyen Manh has many opportunities to improve in all aspects and become a great player.

Defender Tran Dinh Dong (FLC Thanh Hoa)

Defender Dinh Dong during his time playing for SLNA. Photo: Hai Thinh

Dinh Dong joined the SLNA youth academy at the age of 13, his preferred position at the time being central midfielder. His career progressed steadily because he could play on both flanks and displayed a steely, Nghe An-style playing approach. This fiery style of play led to a one-year ban for fouling Anh Hung of An Giang FC in Round 7 of the 2014 V.League. Afterward, Dinh Dong joined FLC Thanh Hoa, where he remains to this day. He is also the number one full-back for the national team under coach Nguyen Huu Thang.

Center-back Truong Dinh Luat (Ho Chi Minh City FC)

Dinh Luat played in the 2016 AFF Cup. Photo: AFF

Truong Dinh Luat's journey into football began quite by chance in 2004 when he joined the Vinh University of Technology and Education team before being noticed by coach Vu Quang Bao, who then brought him to Military Region 4 to play in the National Second Division. Improving steadily, Dinh Luat became a hot commodity in the V.League, winning numerous titles such as the 2010 National Cup with Navibank and the V.League championship with B. Binh Duong. Currently, the 34-year-old former national team player remains an indispensable pillar of Ho Chi Minh City FC.

Central defender Que Ngoc Hai (SLNA)

Que Ngoc Hai is a former captain of the Vietnam U23 national team. Photo: Provided by the interviewee.

Que Ngoc Hai joined the SLNA first team after his teammate Pham Manh Hung and proved his talent later. However, the 1993-born center-back is on his way to becoming a great player. At the same time, he is an irreplaceable pillar in the defense of the Nghe An team. After 5 years playing in the V.League and wearing the national team jersey since 2014, Que Ngoc Hai is considered one of the most classy defenders in Vietnamese football. Under coaches Toshiya Miura and Nguyen Huu Thang, he was valued and trusted thanks to his versatility, passionate play, and tactical awareness.

Defender Tran Dinh Hoang (SLNA)

Dinh Hoang before the 2016 AFF Cup. Photo: Internet

At 26 years old, a peak age for a footballer's career, Dinh Hoang is considered one of the best full-backs in the national team and the V.League, known for his physical strength, stamina, and speed. Born in 1991, he has played for various national teams, including the U19 and U23 squads, for many years. After Au Van Hoan left SLNA at the end of 2013, Dinh Hoang showed significant improvement and was a great hope for coach Huu Thang at the 2016 AFF Cup. However, recurring injuries caused him to miss almost the entire 2017 V.League season, as well as other important tournaments before that.

Midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh (FLC Thanh Hoa)

Midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh. Photo: Trung Kien

In five seasons playing for his hometown team, Hoang Thinh made 88 appearances and scored 3 goals. At the end of 2015, Hoang Thinh moved to FLC Thanh Hoa on a three-season contract with a signing bonus of 6 billion VND. Despite being prone to injuries, whenever he played, Hoang Thinh inspired his teammates with his courageous playing style and excellent long-range shooting ability. Hoang Thinh is remembered by Vietnamese fans for his powerful shot against the Philippines national team during the 2014 AFF Cup at My Dinh Stadium.

Midfielder Hoang Van Binh (FLC Thanh Hoa)

Midfielder Hoang Van Binh. (Photo courtesy)

While not as flashy as Ngo Hoang Thinh in every match, Hoang Van Binh is a quiet warrior and an indispensable part of Coach Petrovic's system in the 2017 V.League season. Importantly, Van Binh rarely suffers injuries and makes unexpected runs forward to score goals. Hoang Van Binh has played for three V.League clubs: SLNA, B.Binh Duong, and currently FLC Thanh Hoa. This midfielder has only made one appearance for the national team, in 2012.

Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang (FLC Thanh Hoa)

Midfielder Nguyen Trong Hoang. Photo: Internet

Even during his time in the SLNA youth team, Trong Hoang was likened to a replica of former midfielder Ngo Quang Truong thanks to his tireless physique and incredible attacking prowess. However, in later years, Trong Hoang convincingly proved himself to be even greater than his senior teammate. Despite being prone to injuries, whenever he recovered, Trong Hoang was an indispensable name on the rosters of any coach in the Vietnamese national team as well as at the V.League level.

Winger Dinh Thanh Trung (Quang Nam)

Dinh Thanh Trung in the national team jersey. Photo: Quang Minh

Despite being only 1.65m tall, the player from Ha Tinh possesses an exceptional left foot and incredibly dangerous free kicks and crosses. Starting his V.League career in 2007 (at the age of 19), Thanh Trung scored 29 goals for Hoa Phat during his four years there. After Hoa Phat disbanded, Thanh Trung moved to Hanoi FC, playing 10 matches but still managing to score 2 goals for the team owned by Mr. Kien in 2012. Quang Nam is where Thanh Trung reached his peak, and he is currently a key player in Quang Nam's V.League 2017 title-winning campaign.

Midfielder Tran Phi Son (SLNA)

Phi Son in the SLNA jersey. Photo: Thanh Cuong

Possessing excellent individual technique and speed, Phi Son is nicknamed the Ronaldo of Nghe An. He joined SLNA alongside players like Khac Ngoc and Hoang Thinh… Many V.League teams are currently ready to roll out the red carpet to recruit Phi Son. Currently, he has scored 5 goals for the Nghe An team in the V.League and is SLNA's top assist provider in all competitions.

Striker Nguyen Dinh Bao (Hai Phong)

Striker Dinh Bao (in red shirt) scored a goal against his hometown team in the recent round of matches. Photo: Thanh Cuong.

Nguyen Dinh Bao joined the Song Lam youth academy in 2004, at the age of 12. Mentioning this striker immediately brings to mind his nickname, "King of Youth Tournaments." In 2008, Bao won both the Best Player and Top Scorer awards at the National U17 Championship. In 2011, Dinh Bao continued to be the top scorer at the Thanh Nien Newspaper U21 Championship. After four years with the first team, he failed to prove himself, but after two seasons playing for Hai Phong, he scored 12 goals for the team.

Trung Kien

(Synthetic)