Nguyen Manh returns after 1 year of absence, good news for SLNA

Minute 23 of the match between SLNA and host Tampines Rovers (Singapore) in the AFC Cup 2018. Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh broke his arm after trying to jump up to catch the ball.

Although the Nghe An team won 2-0, the price to pay was too high. Nguyen Manh's terrible injury was a huge loss for coach Duc Thang's team before the 2018 season. Nguyen Manh will have to stay away from the field for a long time. Many people even fear that a broken arm like that will make it difficult for Manh to return to top football.

Witnessing the horrific incident, many people were choked up. They continuously sent condolences and hoped that Nguyen Manh could overcome this difficulty. Nguyen Manh's father shared on his personal page after witnessing his son's serious injury: "You are in pain but cannot return home, your parents are far away and cannot be by your side, so we feel very guilty. Stay strong, our whole family is thinking of you."

Nguyen Manh confidently said that he has recovered 80% of his form. Photo: Duc Anh

SLNA entered the season with an unprecedented goalkeeper crisis. After Nguyen Manh, a series of other replacement goalkeepers also retired due to injuries. SLNA's coaching staff was very worried because the season was near. In the end, they were forced to borrow goalkeeper Phan Dinh Vu Hai from Hai Phong Club.

Vu Hai once confided: "When he came to Vinh Stadium, it was Mr. Manh who taught me the intelligent and thoughtful way of catching the ball, which is his strength." Obviously, completely replacing Nguyen Manh's role at Vinh Stadium is not an easy thing. The former national team goalkeeper is not only good at reflexes, he also has the ability to think and read the game that other goalkeepers can hardly match.

Only borrowing Vu Hai for 1 year, SLNA is still waiting for good news from Nguyen Manh for the 2019 season. Even before the AFF Cup took place, there was news that the Vinh Stadium team's management had urgently contacted Hai Phong Club. SLNA wanted to borrow Vu Hai for another season because they were afraid that Nguyen Manh would not be able to recover in time. Fortunately, while Vu Hai had difficulty leaving Hai Phong, Nguyen Manh also set a date to return.

A year without playing football was a real challenge for Nguyen Manh. During that year, Nguyen Manh continuously trained hard with the hope of being able to play in time for the early stages of the 2019 season. V.League 2019 will start in 2 months, hopefully the former national team goalkeeper will recover 100% of his form before the new season begins.

The 2019 season of SLNA will be worth watching when Quang Tinh, Van Binh, and even Trong Hoang will return to contribute to their hometown team. Not to mention, the good news from Nguyen Manh will certainly make coach Duc Thang feel secure and ready to set higher goals in the 2019 season./.

Why has Nguyen Manh not renewed his contract with SLNA?

(Baonghean.vn) - The old contract between Nguyen Manh and SLNA signed 2 years ago (2016) officially expired right after the end of the 2018 season.