SLNA house and the steps of return

HouseSLNAIndeed, it has experienced many ups and downs of life, especially when subsidized football gave way to "boss" football and cruel money forced many beloved children, even though they didn't want to, to leave number 4 Dao Tan.

There were people who were “allowed” to leave as a priority after a long time of dedication to the team, such as going abroad, to HAGL, HN ACB… There were also people who were invited to play for wealthy bosses. There were also people whose contracts with the team had expired and who were “allowed” to fly everywhere. Of course, most of them were people who did not have a place in the first team or could not stay after a few seasons of competition, did not want to but had to go to a suitable environment, could return if they played well or could only return to Vinh Stadium as… spectators.

Mai Sy Hoang and Nguyen Van Viet of SLNA are practicing very hard to be able to secure a starting position in U22 Vietnam. Photo: Hai Hoang

But after all, that is the law of life and football, where competition for development and elimination is an inevitable part. Therefore, there are players who play very well in the U teams but when they come to SLNA, it is a different story. There are also players who have traveled from V. League to the First Division team and finally been called back to SLNA's first team, and then to the national team as a great achievement. There are also many players who used to be stars, "locomotives" of the team, who moved away and quickly returned, and were given new responsibilities such as Huu Thang, Quang Truong, Sy Hung, Huy Hoang, Nhu Thuat, Van Quyen...

They are the ones who ensure the future development of the cozy house SLNA after the restructuring period, when the story of "bread and butter" is no longer as urgent as in the long, dreamy nights of the past.

In recent times, SLNA has retained important players of the team. Photo: Duc Anh

Fortunately for a star of SLNA, U23 VN and Vietnam National Team, Van Duc - who stands at the border of the period of "poorest parents in V. League" and the talent drain that occurs season after season with a restructuring to regain the team's former glory. This star was quickly invited to stay with an ideal contract, worthy of his talent, dedication, favorable for the life of family, friends, teammates, meeting the professional requirements of the coaching staff and especially the expectations of many fans near and far.

Among the “locomotives” of SLNA who are currently playing for other clubs, the two most notable stars are Ngoc Hai and Trong Hoang. Without a restructuring period, the possibility of calling these two players back is completely impossible. But hope is opening up when the “house” of SLNA is quickly being renovated and completed (in both the literal and figurative sense of the word) and the two players-nationals mentioned above always have a heavy heart for their hometown team. It is known that both sides have the opportunity to make everything come true and the story of the footsteps of the return will soon take place in the not too distant future.

Trong Hoang threw himself into the match against Australia. Photo: Hai Hoang

The peak days of Vietnamese football in the 3rd qualifying round of the 2022 World Cup in Asia are taking place. Nghe An fans always follow and accompany every step of their hometown children, those who were trained at SLNA such as Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang, Van Duc, Van Kien, Van Hoang... The big playground for those who are going to the big sea for the first time will of course not be able to satisfy all the curious and picky eyes near and far.

But looking at the way Mr. Park Hang-seo arranges the squad, uses personnel... shows that Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang, Van Duc... always have a special position, very difficult to replace in the Vietnam national team. Ngoc Hai and Trong Hoang played the entire match in the last 2 important matches and left an impression and belief in brave warriors. Van Duc has been continuously in the starting lineup in the last 5 matches of the Vietnam national team and was only replaced when the team needed to change the playing style and add more players.

Watching these players compete, Nghe An fans are increasingly looking forward to the day they will wear the yellow shirt and dominate Vinh stadium and V. League football field. Those will be the steps of return that are always expected from SLNA house, the familiar home of each of us, of fans near and far.,.