Will HAGL be the next "defeated general" of SLNA?

Exciting match of round 20 of V.League. Photo: SLNA FC

SLNA's record

Meeting HAGL at Vinh Stadium after having just won 7 matches is an opportunity for SLNA to set a new record in 2018 and equal the record set by Long An (8 consecutive wins in 2005). If they win 3 points in this round, the Nghe team will strengthen their chances of competing for medals with 29 points.

Round 21 will take place on September 9 at Hang Day Stadium against a Hanoi team that is sure to win the V.League championship this year. On the contrary, if they lose or draw, coach Duc Thang and his team will certainly lose their current 4th place on the rankings.

National Team "Civil War"

In recent years, HAGL and SLNA have both been considered the backbone of the National Team. Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Vu Van Thanh from HAGL are no strangers to Que Ngoc Hai, Phan Van Duc or Pham Xuan Manh from SLNA.

Strikers Cong Phuong and Van Toan are becoming the two main strikers of HAGL with (14 goals). Meanwhile, SLNA, Phan Van Duc has 9 goals and Michael Olaha has 6 goals. In this return match, Van Binh's experience is expected to "kill" Luong Xuan Truong, the conductor of HAGL.

Striker Cong Phuong will return to his hometown to face SLNA. Photo: Thai Hai

Equal strength and talent

At Pleiku Stadium in round 9 of V.League 2018, Trieu Viet Hung was the one who had a great header to help HAGL win all 3 points at home. A regrettable loss for the Nghe An team.

When returning to their home field, SLNA can freely play football as they want, especially with the two important additions of Van Binh - Jeremie Lynch. The Nghe team can still hold the ball when needed, impose their playing style thanks to Khac Ngoc, but also counterattack sharply.

The similarity between HAGL and SLNA also comes from the time of scoring. SLNA scored 12 goals in the first 15 minutes of the match (46.1% ratio) while HAGL also scored 15 goals in the first 15 minutes and from minute 45-60 (48.4%). SLNA's scoring record compared to HAGL is 27/31 but SLNA's defense is more solid (24/33 goals conceded).

HAGL had a good scoring record at the beginning of the match and the beginning of the second half. Graphics: Trung Kien

Decoding HAGL

In the HAGL squad, the biggest weakness of the away team is the goalkeeper position. Goalkeeper Van Truong has been in very erratic form and is still inexperienced. HAGL players all have the ability to hold the ball, pass and coordinate well. Therefore, when facing each other, SLNA is forced to play solidly on the home field, waiting for the opportunity to counterattack.

Foreign players are also a weakness of HAGL. The mountain town team is reusing SLNA foreign player Osmar Francisco, who also played for HAGL in 2016. Osmar has technique and plays spontaneously, but injuries have prevented him from maintaining his form. However, Osmar's 2 goals in 4 appearances have made SLNA's defense wary.

History supports SLNA

In the last 28 meetings, SLNA won 11, drew 9 and HAGL won 8. At Vinh Stadium, SLNA has a very good record, with 9 wins, 4 draws and only 1 loss. The Nghe team has had 7 consecutive wins, but HAGL has been quite inconsistent with 3 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw in the last 5 matches.

The match between SLNA and HAGL is not only attractive because the Nghe An team is in good form. But when the World Cup season has passed, audiences across the country are waiting for the fateful confrontation between the two famous football training centers of Vietnamese football. The two teams have many players who have eaten and trained together since childhood and have diverse and flexible playing styles./.

The "return" of Song Lam Nghe An!

(Baonghean.vn) - It was not until yesterday, with the 3-2 victory over Nam Dinh right at Thien Truong Stadium, that the Nghe An audience suddenly recognized the image of SLNA of the past. An SLNA that played with all their might, with young players scoring goals and quality foreign players.