Match review Khanh Hoa - Song Lam Nghe An

After 4 matches, with 3 wins and 1 draw, Song Lam Nghe An is in a safe position on the group B rankings, V.League 2023. Many questions arise, what will SLNA compete for when the basic goal has been completed. However, coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his coaching staff and players have another task, which is to compete to serve the audience.

After the recent victory over Ho Chi Minh City, Coach Phan Nhu Thuat said: “Our coaching staff determined that the most important issue is that the players must play their best, play to serve the audience. Besides, in the team development strategy, we always create conditions for the players to play on the field, preparing the next generation for the following seasons.”

This has been clearly demonstrated by the personnel arrangement of SLNA's coaching staff in recent matches. Except for striker Jordy Soladio who suffered a muscle strain and was not registered in the previous match, all the best and most in-form players have been put on the field. Among them, young player Ngo Van Luong played his 4th match of the season and had a quite impressive performance.

In the upcoming trip to Khanh Hoa, in terms of force, SLNA will not have the service of midfielder Pham Xuan Manh because he has received enough penalty cards. Besides, goalkeeper Van Hoang is also uncertain to play, but the Nghe An team will welcome the return of players such as Soladio, Thai Ba Sang or Bui Dinh Chau.

With 19 points, V.League has 4 more matches and this is a great opportunity for coach Phan Nhu Thuat to balance the task of playing to serve the audience, achieve the best results as well as create opportunities for young players to compete. In the 2023 season, SLNA has created maximum conditions for players to play but there are still some players who have not played much.

Players who have not played include central defender Le Van Thanh, midfielder Nguyen Xuan Binh and striker Ho Phuc Tinh. SLNA players who have played less than 100 minutes such as Ho Khac Luong, Ho Sy Sam, Bui Dinh Chau, midfielder Nguyen Van Viet and Phan Xuan Dai need time to further prove their abilities before the end of V.League 2023. Coach Phan Nhu Thuat needs more specific data to evaluate the players who are preparing for the next season.

In the first leg, although they were held to a 2-2 draw, SLNA had a relatively good match and were unlucky in the final minutes. Although they were away, SLNA has more advantages as the Nghe An team has improved their physical strength and has more attacking options under coach Phan Nhu Thuat.

After 14 matches, Khanh Hoa's attack is not highly rated with only 11 goals. Meanwhile, SLNA has 16 goals. On the contrary, Khanh Hoa's defense is also considered to be very disciplined when it has conceded 15 goals like the Nghe team. Although there are no stars in the squad, the spirit and defensive counter-attacking style of play are quite powerful weapons of Khanh Hoa.

Quite surprisingly, considering the head-to-head record of the two teams, in a total of 12 meetings, SLNA and Khanh Hoa have both won 3 matches and drawn 6 matches. This proves that although not strong, this is a rather annoying opponent for SLNA in any circumstances. And that is absolutely the reason why Coach Phan Nhu Thuat does not want to accept a loss, or even his first draw since taking charge.

As for Khanh Hoa, coach Vu Dinh Tan's team is still uncertain about staying in the league, this race is still very fierce for the home team. Therefore, the upcoming match at 19/8 Stadium will be very attractive, because Nghe An fans hope to continue to see the performance and maturity of the young players against a Khanh Hoa team that is being pushed into a corner./.

EXPECTED LINE-UP:Goalkeepers Van Viet, Van Huy, Vitas, Ngoc Hai, Dinh Hoang, Van Cuong, Xuan Tien, Nam Hai, Van Luong, Soladio, Olaha.

Forecast:Khanh Hoa 1-2 SLNA