Long An - SLNA (1 - 2): Hello sadness!

(Baonghean.vn) - Foreign player Henry's double against Long An goalkeeper Minh Nhut helped SLNA gain a valuable first victory. All pressure on the Nghe An team has been temporarily relieved, now is the time for coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team to think about the days of reunion with family and loved ones.

Old script

At Long An Stadium, the scenario in the two matches against XSKT Can Tho and S. Khanh Hoa of SLNA was repeated once again. After the yellow team scored two goals in a row at the beginning of the second half, SLNA's coaching staff used a familiar trick when directing the players to retreat deep into the home field to play defense - counterattack with the only spearhead, Henry, stationed at the front line.

It was the somewhat too perfectionist decision of the coaching staff that almost caused SLNA to suffer the same outcome as the previous matches.

Reading the opponent's intentions, Long An, with nothing to lose, pushed their troops to the Nghe An team's field. The ball was continuously rotated into positions where the Oseni - Apollon duo appeared. Realizing that Xuan Manh was playing against his strengths, coach Ngo Quang Sang directed veteran Quang Thanh to exploit this weak point.

In a situation where he was being pressed, the player born in 1996 carelessly passed the ball back to Nguyen Manh. In the face of Oseni's efforts, the SLNA goalkeeper had no choice but to foul the opposing striker right at the edge of the penalty area.

SLNA (yellow shirt) continues to win at Long An Stadium. Photo: Internet.

The pressure from the red shirts finally turned into a goal, after an accurate penalty kick from American striker Apollon. However, reviewing the previous collision between Ngoc Hai and Tan Tai, it is clear that referee Quoc Hung made a mistake after the home team player pretended to fall. The score was shortened to 1 - 2 for Long An, the pressure increased more and more in front of goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's goal. Among them, there were 2 notable situations from 2 diving situations in the SLNA penalty area by coach Ngo Quang Sang's students. Fortunately, referee Quoc Hung was not fooled when he waved his hand to continue the match.

The 2-1 advantage was maintained by Van Khanh and his teammates until the end of the match, in the anxiety of SLNA fans. So, after 14 times coming to Long An Stadium, the Nghe An team has not suffered any defeat. The scenario of the match in round 4 of V.League 2017 between coach Ngo Quang Sang and SLNA just took place, quite similar to the return match of the two teams last season. Of course, the winner was still the away team from Nghe An.

New joy

Doubts about the quality and integration of the Henry - Olaha duo have been dispelled. In this match, the main striker Henry scored consecutively to help SLNA take the lead, with 2 different styles: 1 from a decisive long-range shot, 1 from an accurate positioning right in the opponent's penalty area. Proving the comprehensiveness of a top scorer. And this is the 3rd consecutive match that the new Trinidad & Tobago player has scored for SLNA, bringing the number of goals he has scored in the V.League to 4. An impressive start for the striker born in 1994.

Not leaving a strong impression like his teammate Henry, Olaha played quite diligently in the midfield area. However, the Nigerian player's contributions to the overall play of the whole team were not small. In the afternoon, without the appearance of "passer" Khac Ngoc, all of SLNA's attacking balls went through the "transit station" Olaha. Besides the basic skills of a killer, the 19-year-old striker also performed well in the role of a creator. Henry's opening goal came from a delicate pass from Olaha.

Rookie Henry scored for SLNA in his third consecutive match. Photo: Internet.

Along with that, SLNA's squad is no longer as thin as last season when the backup options have proven their roles and expertise. Khac Ngoc did not play, Van Vinh "played a perfect role". Ngoc Toan was injured, Sy Sam responded promptly. The Cuong sat out, Van Duc also performed well in his assigned tasks... Now, the concern about the difference between reserve players and temporary pillars has been resolved quite reasonably by SLNA's coaching board. V. League 2017 has just gone through the first 4 rounds, with the depth of the squad it has, it will be an important premise for the Nghe An team to aim for a more successful season.

SLNA had an important victory in the last days of the old year of Binh Than. The 3 points gained at Long An Stadium are the most meaningful New Year wishes from coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team to Nghe An fans.

“After the rain, the sky is clear again”, after the difficulties encountered, now is the time for Nguyen Manh and his teammates to sing together: Hello sadness!

Thanh Hung