Mr. Nguyen Hong Thanh: We have a 60% chance of winning the championship.

After exactly 10 years, SLNA has come so close to the V-League Championship Cup. As the decisive match between the two candidates SHB.DN and SLNA approaches, Nghe An fans are eagerly heading to Chi Lang Stadium, General Director Nguyen Hong Thanh is confident about the opportunity to win the title and shares his plan to build the Nghe An team to continue flying high.

* Do you feel sorry that SLNA was regaining its form but had to rest for a month because the Vietnamese national team was concentrating?

2 years of returning to work at SLNA has helped Mr. Hong Thanh regain his image.

A football manager who says what he does. Photo: VSI

- SLNA is the team that has played the most matches this season. The strain on all three fronts has made many players tired and suffered some serious injuries, the biggest loss of which was Kavin. I think that the long 4-week break is just right, for us to consolidate our strength before entering the 7 extremely fierce matches of the season. I think this is the time that decides the success or failure of SLNA in the whole season.

The entire SLNA team has just gathered in Vinh and is waiting for some players who are on national duty to return. Up to this point, Kavin's injury has not improved and he has almost no chance of returning at the end of the season. Meanwhile, some minor injuries do not affect us much. On July 4, we will move to Hue to prepare for round 20. I want to keep my plan a secret in order to get at least a draw with SHB.DN.

* Each match with SHB.DN has a special meaning for SLNA. Da Nang fans are also eagerly awaiting this confrontation. Are you worried about the pressure from fans, referees or SHB.DN's determination to fight to the end?

- I think the match against SHB.DN is as important as the other 6 opponents. In general, playing against SHB.DN always brings excitement to our players and fans. SHB.DN has a beautiful playing style and is a force, but SLNA also does not want to lose to them, I feel that through the thoughts of coach Nguyen Huu Thang and his team. Not to mention, whichever team gets 3 points will create an advantage for themselves in the race to the championship. SLNA has to fight with all their might and for their honor.

If Da Nang fans prepare carefully to inspire their team, Nghe An fans from Hanoi, Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City... are also ready to follow the club to Da Nang to cheer. I also know that Nghe-Tinh people in Quang Nam, Da Nang and Hue are waiting for us to join in to fight together. We believe that the National Referee Council will have a good team of referees to referee fairly and make accurate decisions. But I am still afraid that the referees will make mistakes that will put us at a disadvantage. 3 rounds ago, FIFA referee Vo Minh Tri blew an unfair penalty that cost us 2 points. I think if referee Tri had been correct, SLNA could have earned 41 points and widened the gap with the opponents behind. That means we can now rest easy thinking about the championship.

* SLNA was once criticized for choosing a “cut and slash” style of play to defeat SHB.DN whenever they had the chance. Will Nguyen Huu Thang and his team continue to choose this style of play to find 3 points?

- SLNA will choose the appropriate playing style to seek victory for themselves. Like last season, Coach Huu Thang and his students did not choose a tough playing style but still won SHB.DN right at Chi Lang. We may choose a strong playing style and are not afraid of collisions, but everything must be according to the rules. SLNA needs a good result but not at the cost of everything. You also see that our playing style recently has been more beautiful and dedicated. I believe SLNA will get good results at Chi Lang without having to play tough as the press said.

* SHB.DN and HN.T&T both belong to the same owner. Are you worried that the two teams will join forces and prevent SLNA from reaching the championship?

- As for us, we have to try to play and get the best results before complaining about injustice. But I tell the truth, FIFA regulations prohibit one owner from managing two clubs. Although it is said that the two clubs operate separately, everyone knows that Mr. Hien is the owner. No matter how clean he claims to be, the situation of one team giving in or kicking the other team to death to benefit can easily happen, especially in conditions of protecting the owner's interests. We do not want to put pressure, but SLNA will clearly suffer if this happens.

* There are 7 more matches in V-League 2011, what are SLNA's plans to win the championship at the end of this season?

- Based on points, SLNA has a 60% chance of winning. To win the championship, we must overcome direct opponents such as SHB.DN and HN.T&T. I still see that the remaining opponents are difficult to play against, but we believe in our own chances of winning the championship. Last season, HN.T&T won the championship one round early with 46 points in hand. As of round 19, SLNA is only 7 points away from that milestone. We only need to win all 9 points in 3 home matches to be able to confidently touch the championship title. That said, SLNA must set a goal of getting points in each match, and first of all when meeting SHB.DN.

* The chance of winning the championship this season is very high, but ensuring success next season is not a simple matter. Has the club made more careful preparations for next season, especially in terms of economic potential? SLNA is not yet a big club?

- That's right, although SLNA has a sponsor, the club's annual budget is still only at a fairly average level. We know we still have many weaknesses, but it's hard to demand that the club will change immediately. Basically, SLNA still relies on internal resources, especially youth training, to help SLNA continue to strengthen its forces in the coming years. SLNA will rebuild a more complete youth training system and possibly the SLNA Football Academy in Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district. In addition, we continue to build a project to develop SLNA Football Joint Stock Company in the direction of business to use football to support football, not to mention the recruitment of more good foreign players will also be carried out when the season ends... There are many projects and directions of operation, but we temporarily put them aside to prepare best for the last 7 rounds. That is the number one goal of SLNA Club at this time.

* It seems that after 2 years of returning to the role of General Director of SLNA Football Joint Stock Company, you are doing your management job very well. Is Nghe An really your new home?

- I am trusted by everyone and given the responsibility to revive the team's image. SLNA is gradually regaining its image and strength. It is true that we still do not have a perfect football model, but the tradition since the birth of V-League until now is a pride for Nghe An football people. We are trying to perfect it step by step, especially not neglecting the training and education of young players. Anyway, I have been doing a good job as a manager for the past 2 years and the club's ability to win more championships in the coming years is what I and the club's leaders are trying our best to do at the moment.

* Thank you for the conversation!

(According to TT&VH)