When was the last time SLNA had to participate in the reverse final round?

In its history, SLNA has only had to play the play-off round once to secure the right to stay in the league. That was in the 1991 National Strong Teams Football Tournament, the last tournament where Nghe An football was represented by Song Lam Nghe Tinh. In the tournament that took place more than 29 years ago,SLNAin Group B with Saigon Port, Hai Phong Electricity, Tien Giang, General Department of Railways, Hanoi Police and Lam Dong.

After 12 matches, the Nghe An team ranked 6th out of 7 teams. With such achievements, the teachers and studentsCoach Nguyen Thanh Vinhhad to participate in the play-off round, also known as the reverse final round, with Lam Dong (ranked 7th in Group B), Long An and Thanh Nien Ha Noi (ranked 5th and 6th in Group A), Quang Ninh Workers and Thanh Hoa Police (ranked 5th and 6th in Group C).

LNA (yellow shirt) only finished in 11th place in phase 1 of V.League 2020. Photo: Ba Tuan

According to the tournament rules, the 6 teams mentioned above will compete with each other to win 3 tickets to stay in the league. However, because 2 teams, Thanh Nien Ha Noi and Cong Nhan Quang Ninh, applied for direct relegation, the reverse final round only has 4 teams left and is divided into 2 pairs as follows: SLNA vs Long An, Lam Dong vs Cong An Thanh Hoa. The 2 winning teams in these 2 pairs will win the right to stay in the league, the only ticket will be the dispute between the 2 losers.

The first match between SLNA and Long An took place at Nha Trang Stadium, now called 19/8 Stadium. When the match entered the final minutes of the first half, SLNA had to play with one less player because goalkeeper Nguyen Xuan Thuy (nicknamed Thuy "ngheo") was sent off for an illegal tackle on an opponent outside the penalty area. Not only that, the Nghe An team also conceded a goal right after that.

Entering the second half, with nothing to lose, Coach Nguyen Thanh Vinh directed his players to take risks and attack, in search of an equalizer. The tireless efforts of the SLNA players were finally rewarded, with an accurate header from midfielder Dinh Van Dung. The person who took the corner kick for Mr. Dung "Thanh Hoa" to score was none other than Mr. Vu Quang Bao, also known as Mr. Bao "Hoc".

Former midfielder Dinh Van Dung scored the goal against Long An in 1991. Photo courtesy

Unable to determine the winner in 90 minutes, the two teams had to go hand in hand in the penalty shootout. Thanks to the excellence of reserve goalkeeper Nguyen Xuan Vinh and a little luck, the Nghe An team defeated their opponents from the Mekong Delta region with a score of 4 - 3. It is worth mentioning that in the first and second shots, SLNA players were unsuccessful.

Since that "near-death" experience, SLNA has always been in the safe group in all the past seasons. The Nghe An team even won 3 championships (2000, 2001 and 2011). Unfortunately, the end of phase 1V.League 2020, teacher and studentCoach Ngo Quang Truongwill have to participate in the relegation play-off round (reverse final round). Hopefully, Phan Van Duc and his teammates will play excellently in the upcoming matches./.