A challenging schedule awaits SLNA.

According to the V.League 2019 schedule, from rounds 8 to 12 (May 5-31), SLNA will face Viettel, Hai Phong, Sanna Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City FC, and Saigon FC respectively. These are all strong teams, considered tough opponents or currently in good form. Clearly, the road ahead for Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team is extremely difficult and full of pitfalls.

First up is the away match against Viettel at Hang Day Stadium, taking place on the afternoon of May 5th. Although the military team is a newcomer to the V.League 2019, the strength of coach Lee Heung-sil's team should not be underestimated. The South Korean strategist has a host of quality players at his disposal, such as Que Ngoc Hai, Bui Tien Dung, Vu Minh Tuan, Nguyen Hoang Duc, etc.

Viettel is a team with real potential and great ambition. Photo: zing.vn

After initial difficulties, Viettel is gradually finding its rhythm in Vietnam's most prestigious football league. In the last round, Vu Minh Tuan and his teammates secured a convincing 2-0 victory against Quang Nam at Tam Ky Stadium. Currently, coach Lee Heung-sil's team is temporarily ranked 7th with 9 points.

Immediately after their away match against Viettel, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team will visit Hai Phong's Lach Tray Stadium for Round 9 (May 12th). Recently, Hai Phong has been one of the toughest opponents for the Nghe An team, especially when playing at home. Furthermore, Coach Truong Viet Hoang's team is currently in quite good form.

Before Round 8, Hai Phong was ranked 5th with a record of 4 wins, 1 draw, and 2 losses. In Round 7, Fagan and his teammates staged an "unbelievable" comeback against B.Binh Duong to win 3-2 (after being 2-1 down until the 90th minute). In short, the risk of Tran Nguyen Manh and his teammates leaving Lach Tray Stadium empty-handed was not insignificant.

Hai Phong is a very dangerous opponent whenever they play at Lach Tray Stadium. Photo: VPF

Concluding their "Northern Expedition" campaign, SLNA will return to Vinh Stadium to host Sanna Khanh Hoa in Round 10 (May 18th). It's true that the team from the coastal city is currently having a rather poor start (ranked 13th). However, this shouldn't lead to underestimating the strength of Coach Vo Dinh Tan's team. Remember, in the V.League, SLNA has never beaten Sanna Khanh Hoa at Vinh Stadium (3 losses, 1 draw).

It remains to be seen whether coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team can successfully break the losing streak against Sanna Khanh Hoa, but the next two obstacles awaiting them are very difficult to overcome: Ho Chi Minh City FC and Saigon FC. The matches between Ho Chi Minh City FC and SLNA (May 25th) and Saigon FC and SLNA (May 31st) will take place at Thong Nhat Stadium, as part of rounds 11 and 12 of the V.League 2019.

Ho Chi Minh City FC is currently in good form. Photo: Zing.vn

Objectively speaking, both Ho Chi Minh City FC and Saigon FC are stronger than in previous seasons, compared to their own previous performances. Under the guidance of coaches Chung Hae-song and Nguyen Thanh Cong, these two teams are displaying very formidable playing styles.

Meanwhile, while Ho Chi Minh City FC is competing for the championship with Hanoi FC, Saigon FC is also proving to be a "nemesis" for SLNA whenever they play at Thong Nhat Stadium (SLNA lost all 3 of their away matches against Saigon FC).

This is just to show that the next leg of the journey for the Nghe An team is extremely difficult and challenging. Simply having to travel and play four away matches from North to South is already a great hardship. Hopefully, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team will overcome this successfully.

SLNA's match schedule for May and June in the V.League 2019.