V.League 2024/2025 schedule of Song Lam Nghe An: Advantages and disadvantages

Many advantages

Song Lam Nghe An will start the V.League by welcoming the newly promoted SHB Da Nang at Vinh Stadium. This is a very favorable situation for coach Pham Anh Tuan's team. Because the team from the Han River is a suitable opponent for Song Lam Nghe An to have a favorable result, thereby gaining confidence for the next rounds.

The level of challenge will gradually increase when coach Pham Anh Tuan's team meets Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Hong Linh Ha Tinh before having to travel to Thien Truong Stadium to meet the defending champions. This will help the Nghe An team strengthen their playing style and fighting spirit before having to face strong opponents.

On the other hand, meeting Nam Dinh Green Steel in round 4 is also an advantage. Because the team from Thanh Nam is having to stretch its strength on 3 fronts (V.League, AFC Champions League Two, Southeast Asian Club Championship). Therefore, the strength of Nam Dinh Green Steel is also somewhat reduced.

After the team from Thanh Nam, coach Pham Anh Tuan's team only had to face mid-level teams in the V.League such as Quy Nhon Binh Dinh, Ho Chi Minh City Club, Dong A Thanh Hoa and Quang Nam Club. It can be said that the first 8 rounds of Song Lam Nghe An were quite peaceful and were an opportunity for coach Pham Anh Tuan and his team to accumulate points before entering the difficult journey ahead.

Besides, the schedule of the last 9 rounds is also quite comfortable for the Nghe An team. The Song Lam Nghe An players will not have to travel too much and 6/9 opponents are opponents of suitable level for coach Pham Anh Tuan's team to find points to complete their goals.

Not a few difficulties

However, the Nghe An team will also face many difficulties in the V.League schedule. First is the long travel distance for coach Pham Anh Tuan and his team. This comes from the "reverse" trips from North to South. The Nghe An team must travel to Pleiku to play as guests in the second round of the V.League, then immediately return to Vinh to welcome Hong Linh Ha Tinh.

Or like the Vinh - Nam Dinh - Quy Nhon - Vinh trip in round 4 and round 5. These long trips will not only cause Song Lam Nghe An to lose financially but also prevent the players from being in the best physical condition.

In addition to the long journey, Song Lam Nghe An also has to face the Tourmalet stage from round 9 to round 16. Coach Pham Anh Tuan's team will have to face strong opponents such as Hanoi Police (twice), Becamex Binh Duong (twice), Hanoi Club or The Cong Viettel. If not careful at this stage, the Nghe An team may run out of steam like in the 2023/2024 season. Therefore, the Song Lam Nghe An Coaching Board needs to have specific calculations to gain valuable points in these confrontations.

In addition, the Nghe An team's schedule may be even more difficult due to the V.League's breaks to serve the Vietnam National Team's training sessions. This will cause the V.League matches to have a high competition density, wearing down the players' physical strength.

Therefore, Song Lam Nghe An needs to have careful preparation in terms of both personnel and techniques and tactics to come up with reasonable strategies, thereby achieving the best results in the 2024/2025 season./.