The "giant" from Serbia and his adventure at SLNA

Information about Memovic. Graphics: Trung Kien

With a height of 1m91, the Serbian central defender not only contributed to helping his team go 3 matches unbeaten but also left a good impression in the eyes of Nghe An fans.

Damir Memovic was born in 1989 and started playing professional football at Dolina Padina Club in Serbia's Second Division. Serbia is a country with a fairly developed football industry. Currently, on the FIFA rankings, Serbian football is ranked 31st, while Vietnam is ranked 98th.

He then joined Drina Zvornik in the Bosnia & Herzegovina Superliga.

He spent another three years playing for Gandzasar in the Armenian Super League before returning to Bosnia & Herzegovina. At his peak, despite being a centre-back, Damir Memovic had a good scoring ability, scoring a total of nine goals in his first four professional seasons.

Since SLNA won the championship with the central defender duo Nguyen Hoang Helio - Huy Hoang, SLNA has just found a quality central defender like Damir Memovic. Good physique (1m91 tall), good in the air, but Memovic's football thinking and ability to read defensive situations are highly appreciated by his teammates and SLNA's coaching board.

The Serbian central defender believes SLNA is capable of winning the 2019 V.League. Photo: Duc Anh - Trung Kien

In the first rounds of V.League 2019, Memovic coordinated well with Van Khanh, making opponents in V.League almost helpless with high crosses. Before Memovic's impressive performances, Thanh Vinh audiences continuously gave this 1989-born boy applause.

At the age of 30, the Serbian central defender has experience in playing and like Michael Olaha, Damir Memovic's lifestyle and training style is very professional. In an interview with Nghe An Newspaper, Memovic shared many interesting feelings about life in Vietnam and SLNA.

-Hello Memovic, can you tell us a little about your achievements at your old teams before coming to Vietnam? Why did you choose SLNA as your next destination?

Before coming to Vietnam, I played in Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Armenia, then Bosnia and now here. I was with Gandzasar Club, won the runner-up position in the Armenian National Championship, won the National Cup with this team. Maybe Vietnam chose me, this is football, players like us cannot be sure where the next destination is. However, I am very happy that SLNA chose me...

Center back Damir Memovic on his way to the gym after training and competition hours. Photo: Duc Anh

- How do you feel about life in Vietnam? What do you enjoy most about coming here?

I know people here love football, football training is very developed and that is a great thing. People are also very kind, many people want to take pictures with me. That makes me happy.

- When you came here, what difficulties and advantages did you encounter? Because in the summer, in Vietnam it will be very hot, are you afraid of that?

Everyone lives together and works and trains together. My teammates and coaches help me a lot. Food, life, everything is fine. Yes, it is hot here all year round, in the beginning it was a bit difficult, because in Serbia it is usually cold in the winter. But now it is fine, the weather is not so hot, and I have started to adapt.

Good height helps Damir Memovic gain an advantage in aerial battles. Photo: Duc Anh

- What do you think about the difference between the Serbian National Championship and V.League, Memovic?

There is no big difference. In the Serbian leagues, the players are physically fit and a little taller and stronger, but here the players have good technique and maybe that is the only difference. But it is also very difficult to play officially. In SLNA there are very good players, young players who are eager to learn and work hard. SLNA is a team with a very good future. The fans are great and thank you all for always supporting us.

-How do you rate SLNA's foreign players, Michael Olaha and Dos Santos?

Olaha and Santos are very good players, very important for the team, they work very hard in training and playing for the team like all the players. Olaha is still young but he really shows his role. Dos Santos has not scored yet, but in the tactical scheme his role is also very important. I believe that in the upcoming matches he will score.

-If at V.League 2020, SLNA aims to win the tournament, do you want to stay with SLNA long term?

Yes, I really want to play for SLNA for a long time. The team is capable of competing for the championship and can be the champion.

The foreign player born in 1989 shared many interesting feelings about SLNA. Photo: Duc Anh

- In your opinion, which player at SLNA has the best English ability? Are there any SLNA players who can go to Europe to play? What do they lack to play abroad?

Hoang Van Binh speaks the best English and he helps us a lot. English is very important, some players can play somewhere in Europe later and it will be easier if they can communicate well in English.

SLNA has many players who can play in Europe such as Khac Ngoc (12), defender Van Khanh - who plays with me. There is also Phan Van Duc, who only lacks a little physique. They have many qualities to be able to play abroad. Overall, SLNA has many players like that.

SLNA foreign players at a cafe in Vinh city. Photo: Duc Anh

- What are your hobbies besides playing football? What do you usually do in your free time?

When we have free time, we go to cafes. I also often go to the gym and play boxing with Michael Olaha, players Khac Ngoc and Van Hung. In addition, I especially like cooking.

- Can Memovic tell us a little about his family? Do you plan to bring your wife and children here for a vacation?

I have a daughter and my wife and I are expecting another child, my wife is pregnant and she will probably come here. We believe in it.

- Thank you for sharing Memovic, wish you success in SLNA shirt!

SLNA recruits 1m91 tall central defender to replace Que Ngoc Hai

(Baonghean.vn) - This afternoon (February 14), Song Lam Nghe An successfully negotiated with 2 new foreign players. Thus, the Nghe An team is ready for V.League 2019 with 3 registered foreign players.