'Dissecting' SLNA's 10-match unforgettable streak

"King of draws" V.Leguea

The 7 opponents that SLNA held to a draw were Nam Dinh (home), Viettel (away), Hai Phong (away), S.Khanh Hoa (home), Saigon (away), SHB.Da Nang (home), and Saigon (home).

In this series, SLNA lost to the home teams Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa and only won 3-0 against the away team HAGL at Vinh Stadium.

For those who understand V.League and SLNA's strength this season, the loss of the Nghe An team to Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa was predictable.

Ho Tuan Tai was the most impressive player in the match between SLNA and Saigon FC. Photo courtesy of Xuan Thuy

In this series of 10 unforgettable matches, SLNA had 6 matches without scoring a goal when facing Nam Dinh, Viettel, Hai Phong, S.Khanh Hoa, SHB.Da Nang, Thanh Hoa. Worst of all, in the 4 matches against Nam Dinh, Viettel, Hai Phong, S.Khanh Hoa - the teams with the worst defenses this season, SLNA players only got a 0-0 draw.

Especially in the 2 matches against Nam Dinh and S.Khanh Hoa, the coaching staff and players at Vinh Stadium left a big disappointment in both direction and management. From start to finish, SLNA had no significant strategy other than just passing the ball into the opponent's 16.5m area, the ball bounced back, then passed it back in... until the end of the match.

"Dissecting" the attack

This problem is repeated and prolonged, proving that the Nghe team's attack has a systemic problem, causing a prolonged thirst for goals. To help SLNA fans better understand the quality of the Nghe team's attack, we have dissected the matches of coach Duc Thang and his team.

Up to now, SLNA has scored 15 goals, of which 9 were at Vinh Stadium, 6 were away. 15 goals were divided into 7 goals scored in the first half and 8 goals scored in the second half. Surprisingly, the number of goals scored by SLNA's attack was divided equally among the playing styles, 5 goals from set pieces (2 penalties, 3 corners), 5 goals from counter-attacks, 5 goals from possession play from home. There were 13 goals scored in the 16.5m area and only 2 goals were scored from long shots.

SLNA missed many opportunities in the first half of the match against SG FC. Photo courtesy of Xuan Thuy

Dos Santos was a failed contract but SLNA's coaching staff had no new strategies. When Olaha played low to participate in defense, Khac Ngoc showed signs of slowing down, and the midfield's ball control became much worse.

SLNA's matches, in theory, are played with a 4-4-2 formation, but in reality, they play 4-5-1 on the field. Central attacks are not surprising or creative, crosses from the wings lack accuracy and are scattered, so the opposing defenses can easily defend against them.

Just having a foreign midfielder who plays the ball well in the air will make SLNA's attack almost deadlocked. Players Le Van Phu and Zarour Chaher are both 36 years old but still played the whole match when meeting the Nghe team because of low attacking pressure. The Nghe team does not have a leader to control the tempo of the match, the leadership mark outside the field is still weak so the opponent can easily neutralize it.

Prioritize domestic products

Coach Duc Thang's decision to send Ho Tuan Tai onto the field was considered wise and he made a big impression in the 2-2 draw with Saigon. Assigned to play as a winger, leaving the striker position to the foreign duo Vinicius and Olaha, but it was this striker who left the wing and often pressed close to Saigon's goal that made it difficult for the opponent to defend.

Ho Tuan Tai was brought onto the field in the second half of the match against SG FC but could not help SLNA improve the situation. Photo courtesy of Trung Kien

In fact, not only Vinicius but Xuan Thang and Tuan Tai also missed many good opportunities. But in our opinion, while waiting for this foreign player to show his ability, Xuan Thang, Tuan Tai, and Ngoc Toan are still the options that SLNA's coaching staff should prioritize. Especially Tuan Tai, with the title of "best player of the match" as affirmed, he deserves to be in the starting lineup and play as a striker.