Coach Van Sy Son - A breath of fresh air at Song Lam Nghe An
Coach Van Sy Son's approach to player selection will be significantly different. This will create more motivation as well as serve as a warning to the Song Lam Nghe An players.
During his time managing Quang Nam Club,Coach Van Sy SonThey have always prioritized using two foreign strikers. From the Conrado - Yago Ramos pairing in the 2023-2024 season to the Charles Atshimene - Ugochukwu Oduenyi duo in the 2024-2025 season, they have all left a clear mark. Conrado alone scored 5 goals and provided 9 assists in the 2023-2024 season, while Atshimene contributed 11 goals and 4 assists last season.
It's no coincidence that the coach, born in 1972, has this tendency. The style of football he pursues – defensive counter-attacking with few touches – always requires forwards who can make intelligent runs, make powerful runs, and finish quickly. Coach Van Sy Son doesn't prioritize flair or ball control, but focuses on speed and sharpness in transitional situations. With this philosophy, using foreign players in the forward position is inevitable, as they possess superior physique, stamina, and physical strength compared to domestic players.
For Song Lam Nghe An currently, the duo of Reon Dale Moore and Michael Olaha are expected to become the new "deadly pair" under coach Van Sy Son's leadership. However, while Michael Olaha continues to show consistency and experience, the Trinidad & Tobago striker has yet to find his best form and ball control after the first few rounds. For a coach like Van Sy Son, goal-scoring efficiency is a key factor in personnel selection. Therefore, Reon Dale Moore will have to work very hard to maintain his starting spot if he doesn't want to be replaced early.
Nevertheless, experts believe that, if placed in the right role within coach Van Sy Son's fast-paced counter-attacking system, the Trinidad and Tobago striker can fully utilize his inherent qualities. He possesses speed, agility, and an ideal physique – factors that have helped foreign strikers under coach Van Sy Son shine brightly at Quang Nam Club.
Not only in the attacking line, but the defense under coach Van Sy Son also favors foreign players. In the 2023-2024 season, center-back Stephen Eze was the leader of Quang Nam Club's defense. Last season, this role was given to Alain Eyenga, a tall center-back with strong aerial ability and tackling skills. The type of center-back that coach Van Sy Son chooses is usually players with superior physique, good one-on-one tackling ability, and enough speed to drop back and cover during opponent counter-attacks.
InLam River, Nghe AnJustin Julian Garcia, a Trinidad & Tobago international, is expected to become the new leader in the defense. Possessing good judgment, decent speed, and strong aerial ability, Garcia perfectly fits coach Van Sy Son's criteria for a foreign center-back. If he maintains his form, he will likely be an indispensable link in the Nghe An team's defense.
Another distinctive feature of Van Sy Son's tactical system is the use of two central midfielders playing in a box-to-box style. This means they not only participate in defense but also support the attack, especially in quick counter-attacks. In this context, Nguyen Quang Vinh – a young midfielder with excellent physical fitness – will almost certainly be the first choice.
The remaining position is a three-way competition between Ho Khac Ngoc, Phan Ba Quyen, and Carlos Enrique. Among these, Carlos Enrique's form is being questioned. The Colombian player has not met expectations in the previous rounds and risks being left behind if he doesn't improve his performance. However, there is still a chance if Carlos Enrique can demonstrate his all-around abilities in both attack and defense – a crucial factor for a central midfielder under the new head coach of Song Lam Nghe An.
With a tactical system requiring flexible attack and defense, the two flanks are always the most active areas. Wing players are required to move constantly, supporting the attack with crosses or incursions into the penalty area, while also quickly retreating to provide defensive cover.
Players like Tran Manh Quynh, Ngo Van Luong, Nguyen Van Bach, and Le Dinh Long Vu will all have a chance to compete for this position. This is especially true for the two full-backs.Ho Van CuongAnd Vuong Van Huy will play a very important role. Not only will he support the attack, but he will also be tasked with making a difference from long throw-ins – a "special weapon" in modern football, which coach Van Sy Son exploited very effectively at Quang Nam Club.
The arrival of coach Van Sy Son can be seen as a breath of fresh air at Vinh Stadium. With his clear playing style and pragmatic yet effective player selection, he has brought a tactical model where every player must compete fairly. The concept of "veteran" or "star player" no longer exists; every position must strive for excellence from training to official matches.
This is an opportunity for young, ambitious players to rise and prove themselves. It's also a warning to those who can't maintain their form. If they gradually adapt to the new philosophy, Song Lam Nghe An can absolutely make a strong comeback in the remainder of the season.
