Will SLNA "give up" the National Cup?
(Baonghean.vn) - Unexpectedly losing to Nam Dinh, falling to 13th place in the 2018 V-League rankings, the reigning National Cup champion SLNA is putting themselves in a difficult position. It is very likely that they will play in the quarter-finals of this year's National Cup with a reserve squad to focus on escaping relegation in the V-League rankings.
Initially, experts predicted that Nam Dinh, Sai Gon, XSKT.Can Tho and B.Binh Duong would be the teams that had to escape relegation and play-off. Surprisingly, B.Binh Duong and XSKT.Can Tho are currently ranked 4th and 5th in the rankings, and SLNA, a team with 4 national players and 4 former national players, is in that position.
The terrible loss to Nam Dinh has put SLNA in a difficult situation. With no other choice, SLNA must brace themselves for two matches against Quang Nam and HAGL before it is too late.
"Give up" the National Cup?
First of all, in addition to the opponent S.HB Da Nang in the quarterfinals, FLC Thanh Hoa and Ha Noi are likely to be the "obstacles" to SLNA's mission of defending the National Cup championship. These are all strong teams and often have good results when playing against SLNA.
 |
| SLNA still has to rely on youth. Photo: Trung Kien |
In recent years, FLC Thanh Hoa and Hanoi have often won right at Vinh Stadium. Experts say that if the team were split into two, Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem would still win the double of both the National Cup and V-League.
According to the schedule, SLNA will meet SHB. Da Nang in the National Cup on May 11 away and May 15 home. Then, they will go away to meet Quang Nam on May 20, HAGL on May 26 and return to Vinh to meet Hanoi FC on May 30.
It is not difficult to calculate what difficulties coach Duc Thang and his team will encounter with the current schedule, in the situation of "Western handicap" and injuries of a series of players. After injury, Olaha has shown signs of not playing as well as before, Khac Ngoc is showing signs of "running out of battery" and Tuan Tai is still only a potential player. Recently, defender Manh Hung had to have nose surgery after the match with Nam Dinh.
If SLNA plays with all their might against SHB Da Nang in the National Cup, they may not win for sure. If they win, they still have to overcome the two "rocks" Thanh Hoa and Hanoi. SLNA's chances of winning the National Cup this season are not high, that's the truth. More than anyone, SLNA "understands" the consequences of playing with all their might against Ho Chi Minh City Club in the National Cup and then losing to Nam Dinh at Vinh Stadium.
The important thing is the spirit.
Losing “according to procedure” in the AFC Cup and most likely the National Cup next, while the V-League 2018 team also has no clear goals. SLNA is suffering the consequences of not defining clear goals for the season, thus lacking necessary planning.
 |
| Most likely, SLNA will use the reserve team when playing against SHB Da Nang in the National Cup. Photo: Trung Kien |
SLNA is having the worst start to the season in recent years. There are objective and subjective reasons, and this is the time for the players to correct their mistakes. To achieve the target of 4 points against Quang Nam and HAGL before meeting Hanoi, SLNA will most likely "lose according to the process" in the National Cup.
Before thinking about rising, not letting Nam Dinh surpass them is the immediate goal of the Vinh team. The most important thing right now is to keep the spirit up, not to give up before the upcoming tough matches.
