Hanoi - SLNA: Reunion with an old friend
(Baonghean.vn) - To this day, the 2-6 defeat in Round 17 of the 2012 V.League remains unforgettable for many Hanoi players and fans. This season, five players who started in that match are currently playing for two different teams. Except for Van Quyet, who received a red card and is sidelined, Samson will face three SLNA players in this "big match".
As "insiders," Dinh Dong, Van Binh, and Samson surely still remember what was perhaps HN T&T's most painful defeat since gaining promotion to the V-League. Coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute, goalkeeper Nguyen Manh also witnessed his teammates playing like they were possessed in this match.
A memorable "grass tennis" match
At that time, SLNA arrived at Hang Day Stadium as the 2011 V.League champions, but their squad was considered evenly matched with the home team. SLNA's three foreign players – Hector, Abass, and Dickson – were even considered weaker than Cristiano, Gonzalo, and Samson. Fans in Nghe An still remember that Coach Huu Thang's team had just drawn 0-0 with a much weaker visiting team, temporarily sitting in 6th place in the standings. Meanwhile, Hanoi T&T was leading the league table, having won 3-1 at Binh Duong's Go Dau Stadium.
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| Hoang Vu Samson is the only Hanoi FC player who was present in the humiliating 2-6 defeat seven years ago. Photo: tienphong.vn |
The key to the victory was the midfield, with players like Hector, Hoang Thinh, Trong Hoang, and Van Binh not giving Sy Cuong, Van Quyet, Gonzalo, Ngoc Duy, and Samson a single moment to relax and play the ball. Despite all efforts, coach Phan Thanh Hung could not turn the tide, especially after Cao Sy Cuong received his second yellow card in the 68th minute and was sent off.
Home team defender Duy Nam "ruined the game" by committing an early foul, leading to a penalty kick and an early goal conceded by his team.Then the goalkeeperHong Son awkwardly cleared the ball after Tien Dung's back pass, and Abass was immediately in the right place at the right time to punish the HN T&T goalkeeper's mistake with a goal to increase the score to 2-0.
Gonzalo and Samson equalized before the referee blew the whistle to end the first half. Just when it seemed the home team would mount a comeback, Hong Viet, Abass, Trong Hoang, and Dickson scored in quick succession at the start of the second half. Veteran Dinh Dong provided the assist for the sixth goal, while goalkeeper Nguyen Manh took the helm for the final 30 minutes in place of the injured Viet Nam.
Hope for SLNA veterans
As one of the thousands of spectators at Hang Day Stadium witnessing SLNA's resounding victory, I believe the situation seven years ago is exactly the same as the upcoming clash. The home team's players were considered superior, and the point difference back then was even much larger than it is now.
The key to victory was that coach Huu Thang ignited a passion in each player, boosting their confidence. Players from both sides clashed, exchanging blows and playing aggressively in every situation, and victory went only to the team with better psychological preparation.
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| Van Binh (15) is one of the 3 players who were present in the big V-League 2012 victory. |
It's quite interesting that Hoang Vu Samson will have the opportunity to face Van Binh in the midfield, and whoever performs better will give their team an advantage in terms of gameplay. Seven years have taken a toll on both of them, but in return, they have gained a lot more experience. Van Binh is currently considered one of the most unconventional domestic players, adapting his style of play from aggressive to flexible depending on the situation.
As a veteran, Dinh Dong is a source of moral support for his younger teammates in this crucial match where timidity is unacceptable. SLNA's left flank has become much more solid since Dinh Dong returned to Vinh Stadium after leaving Thanh Hoa. With Khac Ngoc likely to be neutralized by the opposition, fans are hoping this number 16 defender will provide an assist, just as he did seven years ago for Dickson.
After seven years, Samson, formerly a foreign player, has become a naturalized player, while goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, once a reserve, has become the captain of SLNA. While Hanoi fans hope Samson will score, Nghe An fans hope Nguyen Manh will be a solid wall to stop their opponents.
That alone is enough to make this match the "biggest football festival of the year" for fans in Nghe An province.
