The belief hasn't faded.
(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Huu Thang's all-in gamble has gone up in smoke as they failed to defeat their opponent...
(Baonghean.vn) -Coach Huu Thang and his team's all-out gamble has been dashed as they failed to defeat their direct rival, HN T&T. While hope isn't entirely lost, the disadvantage in points and the fixture schedule makes it seem that SLNA's chances of lifting the championship trophy are now purely theoretical.
It's understandable that they're disappointed, but the fans from Nghe An are not at all disheartened; on the contrary, they are completely satisfied with their team's performance in the recent match.
To avoid the overcrowding that had occurred in the past, the organizers anticipated every situation, even the ticket sales were meticulously planned, with a maximum of no more than 20,000 tickets sold, because "being greedy" could have unpredictable consequences. The crucial match therefore had fewer spectators than usual, except for sections A and B which were completely full; there were still many empty seats throughout the stadium. However, this did not diminish the enthusiasm of the "12th player." The "Vinh City cauldron" maintained its usual intensity, with the fan club igniting the team's passion throughout the 90 minutes. Although disappointed that their team drew, the spectators were very impressed with the players' performance in this match; what SLNA lacked was simply luck.
Despite being considered the stronger team with a well-balanced squad across all three lines, HN T&T did not employ their usual attacking style; instead, they played cautiously with the intention of securing a draw. The way coach Phan Thanh Hung arranged his team proved this point. Captain Cristiano had returned in time, but the coach from Quang Nam still decided to move Gonzalo to play as a central defender, even though the Argentinian striker is one of the most dangerous goalscorers in the V.League with 12 goals.
Furthermore, dangerous attacking players like Thanh Luong and Van Quyet were instructed to play deeper, occupying the flanks to retain possession for as long as possible. This tactic also limited SLNA's dangerous wing attacks, which have been a threat in recent matches. The HN T&T coaching staff had carefully planned their strategy, but they didn't expect such a formidable attack from the home team. Without a bit of luck, the team owned by Mr. Hien would have likely left empty-handed. “SLNA is a very formidable team; their squad is high-quality and deep, and they also have the advantage of enthusiastic support from their home crowd. Our concerns were not unfounded; the events on the field spoke for themselves. One point from this match is already a success for HN T&T,” shared coach Phan Thanh Hung.
The first 45 minutes were uneventful, aside from referee Ngo Quoc Hung's somewhat biased decisions in favor of the visiting team T&T, and the overly cautious playing style of both teams, which diminished the necessary excitement of the match. However, the second half unfolded completely differently. SLNA proactively increased the tempo, with faster passing combinations, causing extreme confusion in the HN T&T defense. Trong Hoang and Phi Son constantly switched flanks, making the home team's play much more varied. Up front, Hector worked tirelessly, constantly tormenting the HN T&T defense, leaving the white-shirted players spinning around. SLNA completely dominated the game in the final 30 minutes, and many Nghe An fans believed that a goal would come sooner or later...
Unfortunately, the home team's main striker, Kavin, had a forgettable day. While still displaying classy ball control, intelligent runs, and excellent positioning, his accuracy was lacking, with at least two clear scoring opportunities being missed.
Luck continued to favor HN T&T a few minutes later. Hector's ball control was perfect; a simple feint was enough to completely bypass the opposing defender. His technically brilliant curling shot aimed straight for the top corner, but the crossbar once again responded. It was a "haunted" afternoon for Hector, the most energetic player in the match. After an impressive solo run past three HN T&T defenders, the number 7 player had a chance to face goalkeeper Van Cong. His powerful shot from less than 3 meters was unsuccessful, officially ending all hopes for the home team in Vinh.
After the match, a large number of fans stayed to encourage the team. There wasn't a single word of reproach or booing; they understood that the players had tried their best. Football is a game where the better team doesn't always win, and Coach Huu Thang understands that better than anyone: “SLNA played very well, creating many opportunities in HN T&T's half, but unfortunately, the ball didn't find the net even once. We wanted to win to show our gratitude to the fans, but unfortunately, the players' efforts weren't rewarded. There is still hope, and SLNA will fight to the end.”
Before this match, many questions were raised about the true ambitions of the Nghe An team, but with what Trong Hoang and his teammates showed against HN T&T, the fans surely have the answer. The current opportunity is very slim, but as long as there is life, there is hope. Let's put aside today's regrets; as long as belief remains, anything is possible. That is the message the fans want to send.
Viet Khanh
