MerryLand Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh - Song Lam, Nghe An: Building on their victory.
(Baonghean.vn) - At 6 PM on May 22nd, the Nghe An team will face a challenging away match against MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh in Round 20 of the V.League 2023/2024.
Coach Pham Anh Tuan and his team are in high spirits. Their 2-1 victory against Khanh Hoa in round 19 ended a streak of 10 consecutive draws and losses for Song Lam Nghe An. Furthermore, with these three points, the team from Vinh has closed in on the safety zone, trailing LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai, who are currently in 12th place, by just three points.
If they achieve more positive results in the upcoming rounds, coach Pham Anh Tuan's team will almost certainly escape the relegation zone. And MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh is one of the obstacles that the Nghe An team must overcome. This is no easy task for Michael Olaha and his teammates.
Not only did Song Lam Nghe An have to play away from home, but they also had a weaker squad than their opponents. In terms of match experience, coach Pham Anh Tuan's players couldn't match their counterparts from Binh Dinh. Don't forget, MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh was once dubbed the "Vietnamese PSG," boasting a host of stars like Dang Van Lam, Tran Dinh Trong, and Ha Duc Chinh...
Furthermore, the head-to-head record between the two teams also favors the team led by coach Bui Doan Quang Huy. Since returning to the V.League in 2021, MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh has only lost to Song Lam Nghe An once in five encounters (winning two, drawing two). That defeat was in the first leg match, played at Vinh Stadium on February 18th (Song Lam Nghe An won 2-0).
Currently sitting in third place with 31 points, 8 points behind league leaders Nam Dinh Steel, MerryLand Quy Nhon Binh Dinh is still not considered by experts as a contender for the V.League 2023/2024 championship. In fact, coach Bui Doan Quang Huy and his team have never declared their goal to compete with rivals for the title.
Hosting Song Lam Nghe An presents an opportunity for Tran Dinh Trong and his teammates to secure all three points and continue chasing Becamex Binh Duong and Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in the championship race. However, in football, victory doesn't always go to the team considered stronger. Therefore, Song Lam Nghe An's chances are not insignificant.
It is highly likely that coach Pham Anh Tuan's team will leave Quy Nhon with at least one point, even though the Nghe An team will be without Tran Dinh Hoang and Phan Ba Quyen due to suspensions.
