Phan Van Duc's hope and predictions for SLNA's domestic players to start in V.League 2020

Expectations for Hoang Van Khanh's maturity

Last season, SLNA's defense was the biggest bright spot. The Nghe An team conceded the fewest goals. After 26 rounds, Nguyen Manh only conceded 26 goals, the team ranked below was TP.HCM with 29 goals conceded.

It can be said that after the departure of Que Ngoc Hai, Nghe An fans put all their faith in central defender Hoang Van Khanh and in fact, the Tan Ky player has shown amazing maturity alongside a Damir Memovic who is "worth every penny".

Hoang Van Khanh will be an indispensable pillar in SLNA's defense in the 2020 season. Photo: document

Dinh Hoang is likely to leave Vinh Stadium to join Da Nang in the 2020 season. And the person most worthy of replacing Dinh Hoang is Pham Xuan Manh. Right-back is the strong position of this national player from Yen Thanh. When needed, Xuan Manh will be promoted to play as a real winger. On the opposite side on the left wing, it is difficult for anyone to replace Tran Dinh Dong. Experience, "veteranism" and good physical strength are always Dinh Dong's strengths. It is very possible for Dinh Dong to continue playing for his hometown team and that is always the wish of this player from Anh Son.

Among the players whose contracts with SLNA ended after the 2019 season, Nguyen Manh is the name that leaves the most worries. It is almost certain that Nguyen Manh will move to play for Viettel. With the remaining goalkeepers, SLNA can only rely on Tran Van Tien and Nguyen Van Hung.

Unfortunately, Van Hung has not been able to play recently due to injury. Meanwhile, Van Tien has played 3 matches this season and has created a certain trust in SLNA's coaching staff. Van Tien does not have much experience but has the advantage of physique and the ability to enter and exit properly. If SLNA does not recruit another goalkeeper, the opportunity for Van Tien to be the main goalkeeper next season is very high.

The space named Khac Ngoc

If the defense is worried about the absence of Nguyen Manh, the midfield is facing the void named Khac Ngoc. Khac Ngoc and Nguyen Manh are said to be moving to play for Viettel in the near future.

It is not an exaggeration to say that Khac Ngoc is the most important player of Nghe An football team in recent years. With a technical playing style and the ability to pass the ball like a set piece, Khac Ngoc has always been the leading organizing midfielder of Vietnamese football.

Besides, the most improved player in the 2019 season, Vo Ngoc Toan, will also find it difficult to stay at Vinh Stadium. Most likely, Ngoc Toan and Dinh Hoang will be the newest recruits of Da Nang.

Will Hoang Van Binh be used regularly after the departure of Khac Ngoc?. Photo archive

If both Toan and Ngoc leave, midfielder Sy Sam will probably take his place and the other person who can play with him is Hoang Van Binh. Van Binh is no longer at his peak, but his experience and football thinking are still among the top in Vietnam. Van Binh is among the domestic players whose contracts with SLNA have expired. If the issue of a new sponsor is resolved, Van Binh and SLNA will have no reason not to continue working together.

SLNA's biggest hope in the 2020 season will of course be Phan Van Duc. Coach Park's favorite child suffered a serious injury and almost missed the entire 2019 season. Almost certainly, Van Duc will return from the beginning of next season.

In the past time, Ho Tuan Tai was assigned by coach Duc Thang to replace Van Duc's position. In the domestic V.League 2020 squad, if SLNA's coaching staff uses Ho Tuan Tai to play on the right wing, it will not be a bad option. Since being assigned to play as an attacking midfielder, Tuan Tai has continuously scored and scored 8 goals, becoming one of the most effective domestic strikers. It is also impossible not to mention Cao Xuan Thang, a player who always plays well every time he appears. Besides, veteran Quang Tinh will still be an important factor because of his high ability to create breakthroughs and his extensive battle experience.

Will continue to use foreign players in the forward line?

After the departure of Olaha and Vinicius, SLNA will continue to try out a series of new foreign players and the top priority is still the striker position. In fact, the Nghe An team is always good at choosing new foreign players, the foreign players who come here all leave their mark and gradually become hot items of V.League. It is very possible that Vinh Stadium will soon have another excellent striker to introduce to Vietnamese football.

Ho Phuc Tinh, after his impressive performance at the end of the 2019 season, will likely be given more playing time. Photo courtesy

The presence of Phan Van Duc will help the attack become stronger. For that reason, coach Duc Thang will only use 1 foreign player instead of 2 like in the second leg of V.League 2019. And that will be an opportunity for Ho Phuc Tinh, who has just decided to stay with his hometown team. Phuc Tinh had an impressive performance when scoring 2 goals in the final match of the season against Quang Nam. With the ability to choose good positions and possess diverse finishing ability, Ho Phuc Tinh will most likely be a notable name of SLNA next season.