SLNA coach Duc Thang points out Nam Dinh's strengths.

After the first few rounds of the V.League 2019, SLNA has recorded 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss, placing them 3rd in the standings. This is the best start the Nghe An team has had in recent seasons.

Explaining the recent impressive run of form, coach Duc Thang said: “Although SLNA faces different difficulties every season, after each season we always learn from what worked and what didn't. This year, Phan Van Duc and Pham Xuan Manh are absent, but we have the return of Nguyen Manh.”

Nguyen Manh is an experienced goalkeeper, a former national team player. He is a reliable pillar for the whole team, and I am very happy that he has regained his confidence and his best form. It's often said that the goalkeeper is 50% of a team's strength, and SLNA's success owes a great deal to captain Nguyen Manh. Importantly, the whole team was determined from the beginning to make a change.”

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang. Photo: Duc Anh

In the 2018 V.League season, Nam Dinh secured three points away at Vinh Stadium, and their opponent had just won against Binh Duong in the previous round. Coach Duc Thang commented: “I still rate Nam Dinh highly. Although some key players have left this year, they have invested quite well in foreign players, with one naturalized player and three foreign players. Moreover, Nam Dinh is a young team with a very good fighting spirit. They also have many local players that contribute to the team's identity.”

Nam Dinh's current points total isn't bad either; they're level on points with teams like Quang Nam, Da Nang, and Khanh Hoa… Therefore, we must be highly determined and focused on every match, not just the one against Nam Dinh. At home, our goal is three points, and the whole team must show a burning desire to win to bring joy to the fans in Nghe An."

SLNA is ready to welcome Nam Định. Photo: Trung Kiên

Regarding Pham Xuan Manh's potential return, coach Duc Thang said that the 1996-born player hasn't played for a long time, so he needs about 1 to 2 weeks to regain his feel for the ball and get used to the team's playing style. In addition, what Xuan Manh has shown in training sessions will help him return as soon as possible.

In Round 7, Ho Chi Minh City's clash with Hanoi at Hang Day Stadium presents an opportunity for the Nghe An team to pull ahead. If they secure three points against the Nam Dinh team, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's side will have a great chance to climb to second place in the standings.

Coach Nguyen Van Sy: Khac Ngoc is very good, but it's unlikely he'll be called up to the national team at this time.

(Baonghean.vn) - Nam Dinh just secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Binh Duong in Round 5 of the V.League 2019. In Round 7, they face an extremely difficult away match at Vinh Stadium against SLNA, currently ranked 3rd in the standings.