Having made a contribution to erase SLNA's home field 'curse', Ngo Xuan Toan is no longer a 'redundant'!
(Baonghean.vn) - Ngo Xuan Toan's goal against goalkeeper Van Lam in the 65th minute helped SLNA win all 3 points against Hai Phong. This was the 25-year-old player's first goal in the V.League for the Nghe An team.
Born in the same generation as Que Ngoc Hai, Pham Manh Hung, Ho Sy Sam, Cao Xuan Thang, Nguyen Sy Nam... but the name Ngo Xuan Toan was not noticed by experts and fans of Nghe An.
His talent was not outstanding compared to his teammates of the same age, so Ngo Xuan Toan was promoted to SLNA's first team quite late. While Que Ngoc Hai and Pham Manh Hung have become pillars of the Nghe An team since 2013, the midfielder wearing the number 27 shirt has only been on loan to lower-ranked teams.
It was not until last season (2017) that Ngo Xuan Toan was registered by SLNA to play. Unable to compete with Tran Phi Son in the right wing position, the player born in 1993 had to accept "wearing out his pants" on the bench.
In V.League 2017, Ngo Xuan Toan played only 3 matches (1 starting match), equivalent to 122 minutes. The 25-year-old midfielder was one of SLNA's players who played the least last season.
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| Ngo Xuan Toan plays in the same position as Tran Phi Son (10). Photo courtesy |
Entering this season, Ngo Xuan Toan's career has had positive changes. First, Tran Phi Son moved to Ho Chi Minh City Club, leaving a huge gap on the right wing. Next, teammates playing in the same position such as Le The Cuong and Nguyen Phu Nguyen were injured. Therefore, the opportunity to play was given to Ngo Xuan Toan. This midfielder has been regularly used by SLNA's coaching staff in matches in the AFC Cup, National Cup and especially in the V.League.
At the end of the first leg, Ngo Xuan Toan played a total of 8/13 matches for the Nghe team (6 starting matches). To gain the trust of coach Nguyen Duc Thang, the player born in 1993 had to make a lot of effort on the training ground and every time he was allowed to put on his shoes and enter the field.
Admittedly, the midfielder wearing the number 27 shirt has known how to seize his opportunity. That is the reason why in the last 2 matches, Ngo Xuan Toan has been in the starting lineup of SLNA.
Although the goal against Hai Phong on June 13 was only Ngo Xuan Toan's first goal in the V.League, his contributions to the Nghe An team are not small. With a fierce, persistent and equally daring playing style, the 25-year-old midfielder both performed well in defense and completed his attacking role.
The assist for Ho Tuan Tai to open the score in the 3-3 draw with XSKT Can Tho, or the situation of dribbling the ball causing a defender of SHB Da Nang to commit a foul in the penalty area (Ho Tuan Tai missed the penalty kick)... are the strong marks that Ngo Xuan Toan has shown.
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| Ngo Xuan Toan celebrates his goal against Hai Phong. Photo: Archive |
At the end of the 2018 season, Ngo Xuan Toan's contract with SLNA officially expired. Most likely, this midfielder will be retained by the Vinh team, after quite impressive performances. Fans are expecting that the midfielder born in 1993 will be able to take over the job left by Tran Phi Son in the right wing position. At the age of 25, not young for someone pursuing a "career in shorts and jerseys", Ngo Xuan Toan has truly "stepped into the light".
From a player who seemed to have become “redundant” at Vinh Stadium, Ngo Xuan Toan has conquered the SLNA coaching staff and Nghe An fans with his tireless efforts. Hopefully, the midfielder wearing the number 27 shirt will be even more excellent, contributing to helping SLNA reap many successes in the near future./.
