Coach Nguyen Duc Thang - Saigon Club: 'Playing at Vinh Stadium is not easy at this time'

(Baonghean.vn) - SLNA's opponent in round 20 of V.League is Saigon FC, currently ranked 3rd on the rankings. However, head coach Nguyen Duc Thang of this team admitted that it is not easy to beat SLNA.

To be present at Vinh Stadium for the only training session to prepare for tomorrow's match (October 1), Saigon FC moved to Nghe An last night. During the time to get acquainted with Vinh Stadium, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang let his players relax and did not have any tactical exercises. In terms of force, the away team will not have the service of defender Dinh Trong due to disciplinary action, but all the remaining players are in top form.

In the match at Vinh Stadium last season, Saigon FC and coach Nguyen Duc Thang (far right) suffered a 0-1 loss to the Nghe An team. Photo: Trung Kien

Talking about tomorrow's match, the head coach of Saigon FC said: "We are preparing for the match against SLNA as well as other matches, with the highest determination. SLNA is a team with a clear playing style and a balanced personality. The players that coach Nguyen Duc Thang is leading were all trained at a training center in Nghe An. Their foreign players are also playing better and better, integrating into the general playing style. In the recent match, they lost to Hanoi but in a match where they put a lot of pressure on the opponent. It must be said that the performance of the Nghe team in recent times has been extremely good. However, we will dedicate to the audience a beautiful match with many beautiful moves."

Meanwhile, SLNA coach Nguyen Duc Thang expressed his concern about the physical condition of his team's players. He said: "SLNA is playing 3-4 matches per day, so it affects the players' recovery ability to some extent. In each match, we have to carefully study the opponent, but for SLNA, every match is a final."

Center back Que Ngoc Hai, the only player of SLNA called up to the national team this time, appeared quite confident in tomorrow's match. Ngoc Hai shared: "The victory in the match against Quang Nam in the first leg of the National Cup semi-final has brought us a certain comfort and excitement. The players and I are ready for tomorrow's decisive match." In recent matches, Ngoc Hai continued to be the leader of the Nghe An team's defense, contributing to helping SLNA win 2 victories and 1 draw in the last 3 matches.

Currently, SLNA is facing a problem when another player is "injured", such as defender Pham Xuan Manh. Striker Ho Tuan Tai and defender Dinh Hoang are also unable to return to play. Although Xuan Manh is injured, SLNA's coaching staff still has other options such as The Nhat and Sy Nam for the right-back position.

In tomorrow's match, SLNA will have the service of Khac Ngoc, the main midfielder with the most stable performance of SLNA, so the home team has the basis to think about another victory at home.

Trung Kien