I miss you so much, Quang Tình!

(Baonghean.vn) - This season, witnessing coach Ngo Quang Truong struggling to find a suitable central midfielder to play alongside Vo Ngoc Toan, many fans in Nghe An province feel a strong sense of nostalgia for midfielder and former captain Nguyen Quang Tinh.

After the 2015 season ended, the player from Do Luong wished to continue contributing to his hometown team. However, negotiations stalled, and Quang Tinh had no choice but to move to the Mekong Delta. The news that Quang Tinh had joined XSKT Can Tho surprised and saddened all the fans in Nghe An. They didn't want to say goodbye to a warrior, a diligent and exemplary captain.

Midfielder Quang Tình is a type of midfielder who can control the tempo of the game and lead the team's play - Photo: Hai Thinh.

The V.League 2016 has just completed its 16th round, but it can be affirmed that this is the season SLNA has played with the least identity. Their style of play is fragmented, disjointed, and lacks the passion they usually possess. In this situation, one realizes just how important the role of a playmaker on the field is.

When Quang Tình played in midfield or on the left wing, SLNA's team displayed high levels of cohesion, fluidity, and initiative. The ball frequently passed through his feet, being swiftly and efficiently passed to the opponent's goal. Possessing skillful individual technique, the 28-year-old player fearlessly controlled the ball, dribbled past opposing defenses, and executed powerful runs. These plays were a very dangerous attacking option for SLNA.

Wearing the SLNA jersey in recent seasons, Quang Tình not only scored quite regularly but also performed very well in his role as a playmaker. When the game was evenly matched against a tight opposing defense, Nguyễn Quang Tình's long-range shots were a devastating blow that finished off the opponent.

Fans in Nghe An province can never forget the powerful long-range shot that ripped through Long An's net, securing a 2-1 victory for SLNA in last year's V.League. Up until round 16 of the 2016 V.League, the midfielders under coach Ngo Quang Truong had yet to score from a distance greater than 16.5 meters from open play. Witnessing this disheartening situation, Nghe An fans fondly remember former captain Nguyen Quang Tinh.

Besides that, Nguyen Quang Tinh also possesses another deadly weapon: his free kicks. With a rather "obedient" inside of his foot and a flexible right ankle, his free kicks from distances of 25 meters or less often have unpredictable trajectories. His goals against Dong Thap, Xuan Thanh Saigon Cement... in previous seasons are solid proof of his free-kick ability, which some jokingly call "the David Beckham of Nghe An."

Quang Tình was once a favorite student of coach Nguyễn Hữu Thắng at SLNA - Photo: Trung Kiên.

Quang Tình is a rather calm and reserved player on the field. However, this doesn't diminish his leadership role. Whenever his team falters or concedes goals, Tình always tries to encourage and motivate his teammates. Sometimes, when younger players make mistakes, the midfielder immediately reminds and guides them. It is this guidance that has helped players like Ngô Hoàng Thịnh and Võ Ngọc Toàn to continuously improve.

At SLNA, or the team from the Western region, the player wearing the number 17 jersey always takes to the field with a tenacious fighting spirit. More than half of the 2016 V.League season has passed, and the former SLNA captain has scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists.

Under coach Vu Quang Bao, Quang Tinh is a key player in the XSKT Can Tho team. Although he doesn't wear the captain's armband, the midfielder from Do Luong is the orchestrator of the team from Ninh Kieu. Unsurprisingly, Quang Tinh is one of the most beloved players by XSKT Can Tho fans.

When asked, "If you were to retire while playing for SLNA, how would Quang Tình feel?", the midfielder replied without hesitation: "SLNA will always be in my heart. Wearing the jersey of my hometown team is an unparalleled honor in my football career. Currently, I will fight my hardest for the team and for the fans of Can Tho. But as a son of Nghe An, I still hope to one day return and 'bury my face in the river of my hometown'."

SLNA fans will always remember Quang Tình and will always welcome him back with open arms. Perhaps it will be his final strides as a player, or perhaps in his role as a coach.

Le Thanh Hung