Huu Thang, Huy Hoang, and other SLNA captains throughout the years.

From 1979 to the present, SLNA has experienced 40 years of ups and downs, achieving countless titles, never once being relegated, and nearly half a century has also seen captains become symbols of the team. They are all top players in Vietnamese football and have demonstrated the fighting spirit of warriors for the team from Nghe An province.

Central defender Nguyen Huu Thang (1993-1999)

Former central defender Nguyen Huu Thang was promoted to the SLNA first team in 1993. His generation included Phan Thanh Tuan, Ngo Quang Truong, Nguyen Van Tien, Van Sy Hung, and others.

From this point onwards, Huu Thang wore the captain's armband for the Nghe An team. During this period, SLNA also won quite a few titles such as the Bronze Medal in the 1996 National Championship, Runner-up in the 1997 and 1998 National Championships, Champion of the 1999 Spring Training Football Tournament, and Champion of the 1999 National Championship.

Former central defender Huu Thang was both the captain of SLNA and the leader of the Vietnamese national team in history. Photo: Quang Minh

Despite being only 1.74m tall, Huu Thang played with fiery passion, known for his tough and aggressive style. From then on, the player wearing number 4 for SLNA became the team's leader. His strong skills, masculine personality, and powerful presence also earned him the captain's armband for the national team from 1997 to 1999.

Midfielder Ngo Quang Truong (2000-2004)

A powerful dribble by Quang Trường. Photo: Quang Minh

After Huu Thang ended his playing career, the captain's armband of SLNA was passed to Quang Truong. Playing in the midfield position requires a lot of technique, but the player nicknamed Truong "the buffalo" also played with great strength, true to his nickname. Whenever Quang Truong had the ball, the players around him would run in the direction of the captain's attack. As captain, Quang Truong and SLNA won the V.League championship in 2001. In 2004, Quang Truong moved to play for HAGL Club.

Van Sy Son (2004)

Coach Van Sy Son. Photo: Duc Anh

After Quang Trường left SLNA to play for HAGL, defender Văn Sỹ Sơn became SLNA's captain. Despite his small stature, V.League strikers were wary of facing this defender. He played for SLNA until 2007, retiring at the age of 36. Currently, Sỹ Sơn is still an assistant coach at Hanoi FC.

Nguyen Huy Hoang (2004-2013)

Since 2004, when he was just 23 years old, Huy Hoang's remarkable development earned him the trust of the SLNA coaching staff. Playing as a central defender, Huy Hoang best exemplified a strong, aggressive playing style and an unwavering fighting spirit.

A skillful overhead kick by Huy Hoang while playing for SLNA. (Photo: Archival image)

On the field, Huy Hoang was the team's spiritual anchor. His spectacular overhead kicks became a signature move for SLNA defenders later on. The period when Huy Hoang wore the captain's armband coincided with a successful time for SLNA, with victories in the 2010 National Cup, the 2011 V.League, and the 2011 National Super Cup...

Nguyen Trong Hoang (2013)

Trong Hoang and his captain's armband in 2013. Photo: Trung Kien

After center-back Huy Hoang was past his prime and gradually retiring, Trong Hoang was chosen by coach Huu Thang to be the captain of SLNA. Playing as a winger, Trong Hoang's energetic style of play was exactly like his senior teammate Ngo Quang Truong. Trong Hoang's moral character and professional demeanor also served as a role model for young players later on. At that time, Trong Hoang was only 23 years old.

Le Cong Vinh (2014)

Le Cong Vinh is considered an icon of Vietnamese football. (Photo: Archival image)

After his senior teammate Huy Hoang retired, Le Cong Vinh returned to play for his hometown team from Sapporo FC (Japan). With his good skills and influence, Le Cong Vinh was chosen by coach Huu Thang as the team captain. However, Cong Vinh only played for SLNA until the end of the 2014 season and then moved to Binh Duong in 2015.

Nguyen Quang Tinh (2015)

In 2015, SLNA parted ways with a number of key players such as Cong Vinh and Trong Hoang. The team from Nghe An province was left with center-back Nguyen Minh Duc and veteran players born in 1987 and 1988 such as Tran Dinh Dong and Nguyen Quang Tinh, who were experienced players.

Midfielder Quang Tình in the V.League 2015. (Photo courtesy)

Minh Duc and Quang Tinh were respectively chosen by coach Ngo Quang Truong to be captains of SLNA this season. Playing in the central midfield position, Quang Tinh is both the captain and the playmaker in the middle of the field. However, this does not diminish SLNA's passionate playing style.

Tran Nguyen Manh (2016-2019)

Que Ngoc Hai and Tran Nguyen Manh. (Photo courtesy)

After Quang Tình moved to XSKT Can Tho, the captain's armband was handed over to goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh by SLNA. Historically, the captaincy of a team is rarely given to a goalkeeper. However, Nguyen Manh still deserved this responsibility, as he and SLNA won the National Cup in 2017. There were many times when Nguyen Manh was absent or injured, the captain's armband of SLNA was given to Que Ngoc Hai.

Hoang Van Khanh (2020)

Central defender Hoang Van Khanh is the strongest candidate for the captain's armband. Despite being only 24 years old, Van Khanh has already played five seasons in the V.League and has made numerous appearances for the Vietnam U22 team and the national team.

Defender Hoang Van Khanh. (Photo: Archival image)

With a height of over 1.80m and playing as a defender, Van Khanh demonstrated the qualities of a fierce and tenacious center-back. Although not yet a truly outstanding player in Vietnamese football, at SLNA, Hoang Van Khanh was still considered a leading figure among the players born in 1995 and 1996 who won the National U17 Championship in 2012 under coach Ngo Quang Truong.

Being chosen as captain of SLNA is not only an honor but also a significant mission and responsibility for Hoang Van Khanh. SLNA is a team rich in tradition and identity, and the captain must first inherit and develop that spirit.

Song Lam Nghe An changes coach, soon to unveil sponsor.

(Baonghean.vn) - Although he had packed his bags and moved to Hai Phong Club on a secondment, SLNA has decided to call back coach Ngo Quang Truong to lead the Nghe An team from V.League 2020. In addition, SLNA has also found another sponsor.