How can SLNA get points at Thien Truong Stadium?

This signals that SLNA will face significant difficulties in their away match this weekend. Nam Dinh is showing two completely different faces in the V.League this season. They have an unusually poor away record, only managing 3 draws and suffering 6 defeats, the worst in the V.League. However, the fact that Nam Dinh earned 19 points in 8 home matches at Thien Truong Stadium, only losing to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (20 points), shows how well the Van Sy brothers and their players are performing.

Favorable timing, advantageous location, and harmonious human relations.

Nam Dinh's current strength is similar to SLNA's a few seasons ago, with matches at Thien Truong Stadium always attracting over 20,000 spectators. To this day, the number of fans attending Nam Dinh's matches still leads the V.League 2019, far surpassing Thanh Hoa, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh stadiums. The increasingly professional fan support has motivated the players to perform with enthusiasm.

In terms of personnel, Nam Dinh is one of the few teams with naturalized players, in addition to three foreign center-backs: Emmanuel Tony and two "Made in Brazil" strikers Junior Pereira and Gustavo. In defense, Van Phu and Emmanuel Tony are in charge, while scoring goals is entrusted to Junior Pereira and Gustavo.

Nam Dinh earned 19 points in 8 home matches at Thien Truong Stadium, only losing to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (20 points). Photo: VPF.

These two Brazilian foreign players have scored 9 goals for Nam Dinh so far. Junior Pereira plays quite simply, with few unnecessary movements, and shoots well with both feet. Gustavo, who recently joined Nam Dinh, has played 4 matches and scored 2 goals, becoming the top-scoring foreign player in the second half of the season.

The Van Sy brothers utilize these two versatile players for a wide range of tasks: wearing down the opponent, disrupting their play, stretching their defense, creating chances, and scoring goals. In the match against Thanh Hoa, both moved extensively, actively engaging with opposing defenders to wear down the stamina of Coach Quang Bao's team.

To strengthen their midfield, Nam Dinh has added Anh Quang and Sy Minh to their forward line. Anh Quang, originally a center-back, has been moved to play as a central midfielder alongside Ha Long. Although Anh Quang is suspended for this match, the home team at Thien Truong Stadium isn't overly worried. Sy Minh is a player with world-class free-kick skills; last year, the number 8 scored some spectacular long-range goals.

"When things reach a deadlock, change is necessary; when change occurs, things become clear..."

If SLNA loses this match, their chances of dropping out of the top 7 are quite high. It will also significantly affect the morale of the coaching staff and players from Nghe An province for the next two matches against Viettel and Hai Phong at Vinh Stadium.

The absence of both Michael Olaha and Damir Memović poses a significant challenge for coach Đức Thắng. It means the Nghệ An team has lost both crucial defensive players and a vital defensive wall in front of goalkeeper Nguyên Mạnh.

Even with a full squad, getting points at Thien Truong Stadium is difficult; now, with a depleted team and facing a fiercely contested home side, it's even harder. But there's no other way; the SLNA coaching staff and players have to face reality.

Junior Pereira, with 7 goals, is a name that Van Khanh and The Nhat should pay special attention to. (Photo: VPF)

Given their opponent's physically demanding style of play, SLNA's coaching staff must carefully plan how to manage their energy levels throughout the 90 minutes and make timely substitutions. A playmaker is needed to direct and control the tempo of the game; they cannot afford to engage in an open, attacking game against Nam Định for both halves.

Nam Dinh players in general (except for Van Phu) and their foreign players are not good at heading, and their defenders are still wary of dribbling close to the wing and then passing the ball back to the second line for a goal. These are the tactics that S. Khanh Hoa and recently SHB Da Nang have chosen and found successful when facing Nam Dinh.

The fact that Tuan Tai and other SLNA domestic players have the opportunity to "carry foreign players" sometimes puts the Nghe An team in a difficult position, a situation where they have to adapt, adapt, and adapt. It's difficult, even very difficult, but I wish the Nghe An team a point when they leave Thien Truong Stadium.