How strong is SLNA's opponent in their opening AFC Cup match?
(Baonghean.vn) - This afternoon (February 7th), the entire Song Lam Nghe An team will travel to Hanoi, and tomorrow morning (February 8th), coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his players will arrive in Singapore to prepare for their opening match in the AFC Cup 2018 against Tampines Rovers.
Tampines Rovers are the reigning runners-up of the Singapore National League. In the 2017 S.League season, SLNA's opponent in their opening match finished second overall with 54 points after 24 rounds.
The team's lineup includes a Japanese player, midfielder Ryutaro Megumi (born in 1993). Last year, he was the most notable player for Tampines Rovers with 7 goals in 23 appearances. Tampines Rovers' second foreign player is Jordan Webb, a Canadian of African descent (born in 1988), but he didn't make much of an impact in 2017.
 |
| The main striker for Tampines Rovers. Photo: Goal |
Additionally, the second-highest scorer for Singapore is striker Amirul Adli with 6 goals in 14 appearances. The 32-year-old is also currently Singapore's leading striker with 31 goals in 120 appearances for the national team.
Notably, this team boasts four national team defenders: Daniel Bennett (40 years old), Mustafic Fahrudin (36 years old), Madhu Mohana (29 years old), and Shannon Stephen (23 years old). Captain Mustafic Fahrudin will pose a significant challenge to Olaha Michael and the SLNA attack.
In midfield, Hafiz Sujad (27 years old) and Shahdan Sulaiman (29 years old) are also two Singapore national team players from Tampines Rovers. Thus, this team has seven players who were called up to the Singapore national team in 2017.
 |
| SLNA has a great chance to earn points in their opening match of the 2018 AFC Cup against Tampines Rovers (in dark shirts). Photo: Internet |
Nevertheless, this is still considered a manageable opponent for SLNA. In the past, the team from Nghe An province defeated Tampines Rovers 3-0 at Vinh Stadium and drew 0-0 away in the group stage of the 2012 AFC Cup.
Before departing, SLNA coach Nguyen Duc Thang stated: “Regarding domestic players, SLNA has not made any changes or additions. As for foreign players, we are keeping Olaha and looking for another striker suitable for the team's playing style. However, despite numerous trials, the coaching staff has yet to select a satisfactory player to sign. In our opening match of the AFC Cup, our team will only play with one foreign player, Olaha.”
"With the goal of always playing for the team's colors, for the fans, for the pride and honor of SLNA, the whole team will strive to play well in every match so as not to tarnish the image of Vietnamese football," affirmed coach Nguyen Duc Thang.
Mitre continues its partnership with SLNA.
For the 2018 season, Mitre (a British brand represented in Vietnam by Dong Luc JSC) continues to sponsor the match kits, transportation, and training equipment for Song Lam Nghe An FC. The value of the sponsorship contract has not been disclosed by either party, but it will be higher than in the 2017 season.
Former SLNA captain officially retires, moves south to become a coach.
(Baonghean.vn) - After retiring from his playing career, former central defender Nguyen Minh Duc has been appointed as an assistant coach to the new head coach Phan Van Tai Em at Saigon FC.
Three foreign players have arrived for trials at SLNA.
(Baonghean.vn) - In recent days, SLNA Club has been conducting trials for foreign players in preparation for the upcoming AFC Cup 2018. Despite the limited selection time, two out of the three foreign players who came to Vinh Stadium for trials have already made a strong impression.
