'Dissecting' SLNA's 10-match unforgettable streak

"King of draws" V.Leguea

The 7 opponents that SLNA drew with were Nam Dinh (home), Viettel (away), Hai Phong (away), S.Khanh Hoa (home), Saigon (away), SHB.Da Nang (home), Saigon (home).

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

For those who understand V.League and SLNA's strength this season, the Nghe team's loss 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. The worst was 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 lofting the ball into the opponent's 16.5m area, the ball bounced back, then lofted it back in... until the end of the match.

"Dissecting" the attack

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

Up to now, SLNA has scored 15 goals, including 9 at Vinh Stadium and 6 away from home. The 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 corner kicks), 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-range 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 strategy. When Olaha played low to participate in defense, Khac Ngoc showed signs of slowing down in terms of expertise, 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 flanks lack precision and are scattered, so the opposing defenses can easily defend against them.

Just having a foreign central defender who plays well in the air makes SLNA's attack almost deadlocked. Players Le Van Phu and Zarour Chaher are both 36 years old but still played the whole match when facing the Nghe team because the attacking pressure was low. The Nghe team did not have a leader to control the tempo of the match, the leadership mark outside the field was still weak so the opponent easily neutralized it.

Prioritize using 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, Ngoc Toan are still the options that SLNA's coaching board 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.