These 'young rice' promise to be promoted to SLNA's first team in the 2018 season

(Baonghean.vn) - Participating in all three major tournaments, V.League, National Cup and AFC Cup, next season requires SLNA to strengthen its squad by recruiting more foreign players and promoting young players.

Center back Thai Ba Sang

2017 was the most memorable time for the player born in 1999. Playing impressively for SLNA U19 at the National U19 Finals held in Binh Dinh, Thai Ba Sang was evaluated by experts as one of the most promising central defenders of Vietnamese football. Although he did not make it into the Thanh Nien Newspaper U19 team to participate in the Thanh Nien Newspaper International U19 tournament held in Khanh Hoa a few weeks later (due to fouls that were beyond the necessary level), no one dared to underestimate the talent of the player from Quynh Luu.

Center back Thai Ba Sang is the captain of the Vietnam U19 team. Photo: Archive

The proof is that when coach Hoang Anh Tuan returned to take over the Vietnam U19 team, Thai Ba Sang was called up to the national team by the strategist from Khanh Hoa. At the Southeast Asian U18 Championship held in Myanmar last September and the 2018 Asian U19 Qualifiers held in Chinese Taipei, the 18-year-old central defender was trusted by the coaching staff to be the captain. With his talent and leadership qualities, Thai Ba Sang conquered the strict teacher Hoang Anh Tuan.

In the context that veteran center back Nguyen Minh Duc is likely to retire, SLNA's board of directors and coaching staff consider Thai Ba Sang as an addition for the future. The prospect of the U19 Vietnam player being promoted to SLNA's first team is quite clear. As long as Thai Ba Sang continues to show his progress as in the past, the opportunity to compete in the V.League, National Cup and AFC Cup in the 2018 season is within reach.

It is promised that Nghe An fans will witness a "new" Nguyen Huy Hoang in SLNA's shirt.

Midfielder Bui Dinh Chau

Having made a big impression at the 2012 National U17 Finals, the tournament in which Bui Dinh Chau won the title of Best Player, and SLNA U17 won the championship in a very convincing manner, however, the path of this player born in 1996 was full of hardships. While his teammates of the same age such as Phan Van Duc and Pham Xuan Manh have become pillars of SLNA's first team for 2 years, Bui Dinh Chau still had to play in the U-teams. After that, this player stopped playing for the Phu Yen Second Division team (2016), the player from Nghi Loc drifted to the People's Public Security team and most recently Phu Dong FC (2017), on loan.

While fans are gradually getting used to the 'disappearance' of the 'U17 star', Bui Dinh Chau once again made everyone pay attention to him in the role of the leader of U21 SLNA of coach Dinh Van Dung.

Midfielder Bui Dinh Chau. Photo: Internet

The achievement of U21 SLNA reaching the finals and winning 3rd place in the tournament that took place a few days ago in Binh Duong, was greatly contributed by Bui Dinh Chau. Playing in his favorite position as a central midfielder, the player wearing the number 18 jersey is the 'lung' in the midfield of the young team from Nghe An.

Possessing a strong physical foundation, a fierce playing style that is not afraid of collisions and a sharp tactical vision, Bui Dinh Chau has contributed to helping U21 SLNA have an active position against opponents.

Midfielder Nguyen Van Duc

Playing in the central midfield position next to Bui Dinh Chau is 19-year-old player Nguyen Van Duc. Before the 2017 National U21 Finals took place, not many fans knew about the midfielder from Quynh Luu. Many even confused this player with his senior player who is playing brilliantly in SLNA's first team, Phan Van Duc. However, those who are closely interested in Nghe An youth football know the midfielder nicknamed Duc "Ozil". Nguyen Van Duc's running steps, body shape, and playing style have many similarities to the star Mesut Ozil of the German national team.

Midfielder Nguyen Van Duc. Photo: Internet

Compared to the talents of SLNA before and now, Nguyen Van Duc has not made many outstanding impressions in the U-teams. It was not until he appeared in the SLNA U21 shirt and had excellent performances at Binh Duong Stadium that the midfielder born in 1998 received special attention from experts. Arranged to play in the central midfield position as a conductor, Nguyen Van Duc played quite steadily, being an important link in the SLNA U21 squad.

Although the home team only won 3rd place overall, the player wearing the number 11 shirt had a quite successful tournament. The experience in this tournament and what he has accumulated during his time playing for Phu Dong FC in the Second Division 2017, will help Nguyen Van Duc have many opportunities to be considered by SLNA's leadership to bring him up to the first team next season.

The important thing now is that Duc “Ozil” must make more efforts to improve himself. Besides the faces mentioned above, other young players such as Mai Sy Hoang, Nguyen Van Viet, Pham Duc Thong, Lai Duc Anh... all have the opportunity to breathe the atmosphere of V.League, National Cup and AFC Cup in the near future./.

Thanh Hung