HAGL-SLNA: Some hot spots on Pleiku field

Although coach Kiatisak has not been able to use short, ball-controlling football in his second match in charge atV.League 2021But at least the Thai coach has breathed a certain confidence into the HAGL players. The absence of Hong Duy, Tuan Anh and the fact that they have only been training with the team for less than a month are the reasons to justify the 0-1 defeat to Saigon FC. Now, playing at home, Kiatisak has only one task left: to defeat his colleague.Ngo Quang Truong.

The key to the game

Kiatisak and HAGL's goal is definitely 3 points against the away team SLNA. Photo HAGL FC

The first hot spot on the field is the confrontation between captain Tuan Anh and central midfielder Sy Sam. The pair Tuan Anh - Xuan Truong will have the opportunity to face Sy Sam - Dinh Chau in the midfield area, whichever side wins will have the advantage. This season, Tuan Anh is the player who escapes the pressing best in HAGL, when receiving the ball, this midfielder always has several options to pass the ball to the front line, something that Xuan Truong did not have in the previous match at Thong Nhat Stadium. When joining the national team, under the direction of coach Park, Tuan Anh's defensive ability has changed significantly in a positive direction.

Meanwhile, Sy Sam is a "worker" midfielder, diligently cleaning up right in front of the 2 central defenders with good pressing and tackling skills. Usually, Dinh Chau will take on the task of sweeping and fighting one-on-one, Sy Sam will intercept andSLNAis succeeding with this formula. In addition, Coach Quang Truong can still use Van Lam, when this young midfielder duo seems to enter the ball at the same time, surrounding the opponent in the style of "using flesh, pressing down on people".

On the right wing of HAGL, the Van Toan-Van Thanh pair is playing extremely well, more than 50% of the attacks of the mountain town team are coming from here. This forces Dinh Dong-Van Duc to face the "Central Plateau tornado" and any delay will cost them. It seems certain that Kiatisak will choose the attacking option to defend from a distance, pushing Van Duc deep into his own half.

Dinh Dong is a player with the best defensive skills of SLNA at present. But age and physical strength are burdens, if you want to avoid losing, you have to calculate the distribution of strength in 90 minutes. Especially, for players with speed, how to block opponents without getting a card is not easy.

While his teammate Xuan Manh is busy getting married, the hope is on the shoulders of midfielder number 20. Having to participate in defense, create and score goals, Van Duc is facing a big challenge. But to grow up, you have to "carry the team", Van Toan and Van Duc are no strangers to each other, whoever is faster and more skillful will win.

The confrontation of friends

Ba Sang will have the task of not letting Cong Phuong score as a gift for his 25th birthday. Photo: Club

It seems that D. Memovic will be on the field after being on the bench in the previous match. Whether Bruno or Felipe Martins starts, this central defender will also be an important stopper for HAGL. In addition, more than anyone else, D. Memovic with a height of 1.92m will threaten SLNA's goal in aerial battles. Having played for SLNA before, familiar with the rhythm of the Nghe An team, if he wants to score points, Van Duc needs to renew himself with high-speed passing.

Because Van Khanh is suspended, Thai Ba Sang will take on the central defender position with Igor Jelic. The foreign central defender has not had much time to adapt to SLNA, so Ba Sang will be responsible for connecting the defense line. Having to face Cong Phuong, the player with the best individual technique of HAGL, is something that this young defender does not want, but there is no other way. Hopefully, the seniors who have successfully controlled this central defender will instruct Ba Sang on how to counter CP10.

It was not an easy match for SLNA, but playing as the underdog and if the players played successfully in the confrontations, it would sometimes be favorable for the Nghe An team.