Johor DT - SLNA: Should we retreat or "go for it"?

But is it necessary when this is not the front that SLNA prioritizes? Therefore, the match in Malaysia may just be a formality for coach Duc Thang's team to "hold their heads high" and leave the tournament.

Split opportunity

In the 2018 AFC Cup, the Nghe An team continuously held the top position in Group H throughout the first leg and until halfway through the second leg.

However, that position has been "evaporated" into the hands of Persija Jakarta since the last round after defeating SLNA's opponent in the final round with a resounding score of 4-0. The Indonesian representative has almost certainly won the ticket to the next round when only having to welcome the weakest opponent in the group, Tampines Rovers (Singapore).

According to the format of AFC Cup 2018, in the 3 groups in the region, the 3 top teams will directly qualify for the knockout round. The remaining ticket belongs to the second-placed team with the best record.

SLNA had a very impressive performance in the 2018 AFC Cup qualifiers but the chance of advancing is not much. Photo: Quang Minh

Thus, if they want to enter the next round, SLNA will have to squeeze through the narrow door as the second-placed team with the best record. To do so, the Vietnamese representative must have a big win on Malaysian soil in this trip.

A little bit of confidence was sown in coach Duc Thang's team when Johor DT was rated lower after a 0-2 defeat in the first leg at Vinh Stadium.

However, if SLNA's direct competitor in the best second place, Home United FC (Group F), wins in the final round, while coach Duc Thang and his team only win with a score of 2-0 or less, then SLNA will have to say goodbye to the tournament.

Because, up to now, the representative of Singapore also has 10 points like SLNA but has a better win-loss difference (+4 and +7). However, Home United FC will find it difficult to win 3 points when the opponent Ceres is very strong, has won the ticket to continue with the top position of Group F with 13 points and a coefficient of +16.

If Home United FC loses to Ceres and SLNA wins Johor DT with a score of 4-0 or more, SLNA and Persija Jakarta of group H will advance together.

Meanwhile, Johor DT has only 7 points, 3 points less than SLNA with a coefficient of -2, so it is very difficult to overcome Home United FC to enter the knockout round. However, as the reigning champion of Malaysia (Suppe Liaga Malaysia 2017) and former king of AFC Cup 2015, the "Prince" of Malaysian football will not easily give up in the reunion with SLNA.

It is also worth noting that, in the first leg loss at Vinh Stadium, Johor DT did not have the strongest squad. They did not bring all the foreign players they had, and coach Raul Longhi had only been in charge for 3 days.

In this return leg, the “miniature Malaysian team” also had a bit of a shake-up when the attack line did not have the presence of Diaz and Figueroa due to injury. However, with their current high form in the domestic tournament, the 10 national players in the Johor DT squad will not be easy for SLNA to bully like on Vinh Stadium.

Retreat or "go for it"?

As mentioned above, SLNA has had a very impressive performance in the AFC Cup this season. Therefore, if the Nghe An team is eliminated early, it is a pity, but getting a ticket to the next round is not necessarily a joy. Because, the AFC Cup is not SLNA's priority front, from the past until now and this season is no exception.

That seems to be an environment for SLNA to practice and learn, an opportunity for young players who rarely have the chance to play in the main V-League front to practice more than competing to win achievements.

Initial information, SLNA will not have the service of Khac Ngoc in the rematch with Johor DT. Photo: Duc Anh

Is it reasonable for SLNA to aim for a draw and leave the continental playground with their heads held high at this time?

Very possible! In many ways, knowing when to stop is always the smart choice in a long-term battle, knowing how to let go of secondary things to focus on the main thing is essential.

That is in line with SLNA's situation at this time when the list of "wounded soldiers" is long with Nguyen Manh, Ho Phuc Tinh, Le The Cuong, Osmar Francisco, Ngoc Toan, Que Ngoc Hai.

Therefore, with the current loss of force, it will be risky if SLNA tries to win against Johor DT to get a ticket to continue and then have to stretch on all 3 fronts (V-League, National Cup and AFC Cup).

In fact, coach Duc Thang only set the goal of fighting with all his might to encourage the players. He also did not give up when this match still had the appearance of "hot" names such as: Phan Van Duc, Tran Dinh Hoang, Hoang Van Khanh, Ho Tuan Tai...

But the fact that this strategist left goalkeeper Vu Hai, foreign player Olaha Michael and Xuan Manh (due to receiving enough cards)... was a "maybe or may not" suggestion in this away trip.

In short, the opportunity for SLNA to gain points in this “final” match of Group H and the opportunity to enter the knockout round is there but not much. Therefore, instead of continuing to “jump in and do it”, planning to withdraw from the AFC Cup to focus on the V-League and the goal of defending the National Cup title is necessary for SLNA’s situation at this time.

So a draw or a narrow win today is probably enough for fans to acknowledge the team's efforts.