Hanoi FC vs Song Lam Nghe An: When away field is considered home field

Round 10 of V-League 1-2022, Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA) will visit Hang Day Stadium, the home ground of the team currently ranked first, Hanoi FC. But in reality, for many years now, even when playing away, the number of yellow shirt fans has always overwhelmed the home team's fans, and SLNA players have always played no differently than at Vinh Stadium? Therefore, many people have jokingly said that Hang Day Stadium is Vinh Stadium 2, the real home ground of the Vinh team.

Indeed, in the history of SLNA, Hang Day Stadium was once considered the “home field” to welcome the Oxaka team from Indonesia in 2010, the second leg of the Southeast Asian Club Cup group stage. It was an international football match that attracted a large audience from Hanoi, Nghe An and the whole country, although the home team did not choose the arduous path to continue in all aspects.

Song Lam Nghe An fans dominate Hang Day Stadium during a match between the two teams. Photo: Duc Anh

Perhaps from then on, Hang Day, Thong Nhat or Thu Dau Mot... were always considered Vinh Stadium 1, 2, 3 whenever SLNA played in the V-League. It is worth mentioning that every time they played as if they were playing at home, SLNA often played very well, both to affirm their position and to show their gratitude to the fans. In addition to a few enthusiastic fans who always followed and cheered for the team "at any stadium", the majority of the fans were students in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, workers and people far from home in the southern provinces, who were the main force that made the yellow color in the stands, creating great encouragement for the players.

Back to Hang Day Stadium and the match in round 10 between Hanoi FC and SLNA. After 9 rounds, the home team has regained the top spot that has slipped away for nearly 2 years. It is worth mentioning that the home team has many changes in the coaching bench and player lineup but still proves the strength of a team with potential, depth, abundant youth, and great foreign players.

Although the Korean head coach is absent due to Covid-19, there is no longer a breakthrough player like Quang Hai, but if the away team loses focus, they will have to pay the price. Captain Van Quyet will be a very dangerous drill, capable of replacing Quang Hai to act as a bridge for the lines, even scoring from any angle is a daily occurrence for the striker who is not trusted by Mr. Park Hang-seo but is extremely useful in the capital team. Foreign players of Hanoi FC such as Siladi or Tonci are all very "lucky" with goals, so Ngoc Hai, Ba Sang and Khac Luong (replacing Van Khanh?) will have a difficult evening?

Phan Van Duc scored a great goal in the previous round match. Photo: Duc Anh

Will the heat in the stands from the cheers of the yellow shirt fans give strength to the away team SLNA? Remember, in the 2020 season, when SLNA was gradually declining, they still had a narrow 1-0 victory over Hanoi FC, remember the cannon shot outside the penalty area by midfielder Van Lam. SLNA is now in a different position with a squad of domestic players and a squad of foreign players of the quality expected. Although Van Lam has not recovered from the effects of injury and has not recovered his original form, the away team currently has enough force and form to play well at Hang Day Stadium, although the match result is not easy to predict.

The away team may not be able to put Van Khanh on the field due to injury, Khac Luong replaced his senior from round 2, so the ability of this young central defender to "reintegrate" well or not depends on the command, cover, and deep position of Ngoc Hai and Sy Hoang. The home team is also missing midfielder Thai Quy, but the depth of the squad will easily compensate for this position?

It will certainly be a fierce and tight match between two arch-rivals to maintain their position after the 10th round. The match can be decided after a shining individual situation, an individual mistake rather than a combination of passes and tricky tactical calculations. Coach Huy Hoang is increasingly more solid in the technical area and this is an opportunity to prove whether he can stand firm against the most powerful team in this top tournament?

When the away field is considered the home field, anything can happen to SLNA, even though the statistical history is not favorable. It is entirely possible that there will be a new Van Lam in this match, when the yellow-shirted army with the national team, U23, U19 players, and foreign players with good coordination and efficiency are entering the race with more enthusiasm than ever?