Trust Song Lam Nghe An!

The defeat at Thong Nhat Stadium on June 9 of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team did not surprise many people. Besides the absence of midfielder Phan Van Duc (injured), SLNA also did not have the best form for the match against the home team Saigon FC. In the last 7 matches in V.League 2018, the Nghe An team only knew draws and losses (4 draws, 3 losses).

However, this defeat also significantly affected the spirit of the coaching staff and SLNA players. Especially when the protests of Nghe An fans are getting stronger and stronger in the stands of Vinh Stadium, Hoa Xuan Stadium (Da Nang), Thong Nhat Stadium... and on all forums. The trust of SLNA fans for their team is shaking violently.

Que Ngoc Hai's goal still did not help SLNA get a point leaving Thong Nhat Stadium. Photo: Internet

Never before has the Vinh home team been in such a situation as it is now. After 12 rounds, SLNA has only won 1 match, lost 6 and drawn 5. With 8 points in hand, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team are temporarily holding the second to last position on the rankings (13th), 2 points ahead of the last-placed team Nam Dinh and 2 points behind the team right above (12th) Saigon FC with the same number of points.

If the situation is not improved quickly, the risk of having to play a play-off match (the 13th-ranked team in V.League meets the 2nd-ranked team in the First Division) is very clear. Even with the poor performance as in the past time, the possibility of SLNA receiving a direct relegation ticket (ranked 14th in V.League) is not small at all. Therefore, it is normal for Nghe An fans to criticize coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team.

However, that reaction not only did not help SLNA achieve better results, but also made the mentality of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his students even heavier. Without relieving the pressure, the heads and legs of Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates would lack the necessary alertness and freedom. Thus, the task of bringing SLNA through the dangerous period was difficult to achieve at the highest level.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team are under enormous pressure. Photo: Internet

Hopefully, instead of criticizing coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team, Nghe An fans will give them more strength by cheering and encouraging them more. Because SLNA players fought with all their might. Just look at the fighting spirit of center back Hoang Van Khanh. He volunteered to play in the match against SHB Da Nang, even though the wound on his head had not healed (15 stitches).

Don't forget, last season, the Vinh team also went through a difficult time. At the end of the first leg of V.League 2017, SLNA only had 14 points and was stuck in the bottom half of the rankings. Entering the second leg, everything changed in a positive direction for coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team. Winning 20/39 maximum points (13 matches), SLNA finished in 8th place on the rankings. Notably, Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates also won the National Cup championship.

Remember, it is not by chance that SLNA is the most successful football team in Vietnam and has never been relegated! That is the mettle of the Nghe An team!