Coach Ngo Quang Truong with the difficult problem of SLNA's midfield

The gaps left behind

In the 2019 V.League season, Ngoc Toan's strength and determination combined with Khac Ngoc's softness and sophistication created a combative midfield duo in the hands of coach Nguyen Duc Thang. In all 26 matches of SLNA in the V.League this season, the midfielder from Quynh Luu participated with 19 starting matches and 7 matches coming off the bench. At the end of the season, Ngoc Toan had 1 goal, 2 assists and seemed to be a strategic card for SLNA's future plans.

Ngoc Toan is a strategic player that SLNA had planned to keep for the 2020 season. Photo: Archive

However, the delay in finding a new sponsor caused the Vinh team to lose the 25-year-old midfielder to the Han River team, even though SLNA's season-long signing bonus for Ngoc Toan was higher than SHB Da Nang's.

Not yet over the regret of losing a polished gem, less than 10 days later, SLNA sadly witnessed the departure of Khac Ngoc, one of the most important stars of the Nghe An team in recent years. This farewell was predicted in advance because at the age of 27, the "boss" of the SLNA midfield was at the peak of his performance, the attention and invitation from teams with strong economic strength and the desire to conquer the title were what forced Khac Ngoc to struggle with his choice.

After 7 years of joining SLNA's first team, the midfielder from Vinh has only won the National Cup in 2017. Although his individual titles have continued to increase with each match and each season, that is not enough for a promising talent like Khac Ngoc. His departure to develop his career has received much sympathy and support from both fans and SLNA leaders.

As the new season is approaching, SLNA continues to say goodbye to another experienced player in the midfield when midfielder Hoang Van Binh officially announced his retirement despite being offered a new contract by SLNA.

Difficult to find alternatives

At the same time, losing the three important players, Coach Ngo Quang Truong will have a hard time finding replacements when he returns to work. In the hands of the 47-year-old strategist, there is only Ho Sy Sam in the central midfielder position and Quang Tinh, a versatile player who can take on any position in the midfield when needed.

In the recent friendly match with Thanh Hoa before the new season, Coach Ngo Quang Truong put all the potential young players and the players who were rarely used in the previous season on the field to “search for gold”. One of the prominent names that the SLNA “captain” may choose is Dang Van Lam, the captain who led SLNA U19 to 3rd place in the 2018 National U19 Finals and who spent time studying at Pho Hien Club playing in the First Division last season.

With a rather thin force in the midfield, sacrificing a foreign player for this position has also been considered. In the past, SLNA used foreign players such as Ansha and Hector from 2011-2013 and won the V.League championship in 2011 and top 4 in 2013.

Hector is one of the best foreign players to play for SLNA in the past 10 years. Photo: TTVH

Coach Ngo Quang Truong shared that nearly 2 years in Hai Phong has helped him hone his skills and gain more experience. SLNA fans are hopeful that what they have gained during their time on secondment, along with their skillful handling of young players, will help the Nghe An team have a strong enough force to face a promising and difficult season ahead.