Promoting youth, Song Lam Nghe An has found itself again

Song Lam Nghe An's victory at Hang Day Stadium became even more meaningful when Hanoi Club, the defending champion of the tournament, prepared its forces to participate in the AFC Champions League. The capital team not only possesses players from the Vietnam National Team but also foreign players of this team were carefully selected and of high quality to participate in the continental arena.

Song Lam Nghe An's own goals

After the first leg of V.League 2023, although not ranked high, in terms of head-to-head record, Song Lam Nghe An has only lost 3 matches against Nam Dinh (0-1) at Hang Day, Cong An Ha Noi (2-1) and Viettel (0-3).

Defeat Hanoi Club,Lam River Nghe Anhas always shown itself to be a tough opponent in the V.League and has only lost to teams capable of competing for the championship. The 2023 season is a fierce tournament, but does not have much meaning in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) system. That is, the champion team will not participate in the continental arena.

Focusing on competing for a high ranking this season is not a deep plan. More importantly, the 2023-2024 season is approaching and for Song Lam Nghe An, this year's tournament is a great opportunity for the Nghe team to accept the risk of giving opportunities to players and nurturing them to become future seeds.

It can be affirmed that Song Lam Nghe An has been very successful with its youth strategy. The coaching staff of Song Lam Nghe An has given many opportunities to very young players such as goalkeeper Nguyen Van Viet (born in 2002), Tran Nam Hai (born in 2004), Dinh Xuan Tien (born in 2003), Vuong Van Huy, Ho Khac Luong, Tran Manh Quynh, Ngo Van Luong (born in 2001). In particular, player Dinh Xuan Tien has proven his worth when he was the one who scored the decisive goal. A goal that shows the confidence and cunning of the "red seed" of Song Lam Nghe An. And this is also Dinh Xuan Tien's second goal this season.

With 16 points in the group of 6 teams, Song Lam Nghe An is in a safe position and this is also a very good opportunity for coach Phan Nhu Thuat to give more opportunities for young players to compete. Through each match, the next generation of Song Lam Nghe An is maturing and they can completely be the pillars of Song Lam Nghe An in the 2023 - 2024 season starting next October.

H's fatetrainerPhan Nhu Thuat

Under new Head Coach Phan Nhu Thuat, Song Lam Nghe An won 2, drew 1, and got 7 points after only 3 matches. This unbeaten record proves that Song Lam Nghe An's problem over the past time does not lie in the quality of the squad but in the way they operate the playing style, spirit and mentality. For a team with the lowest average age in V.League 2023, not having the experience like Song Lam Nghe An, having 7 draws is completely understandable.

Before that, Song Lam Nghe An played 10 matches and only got 9 points. There were also many matches where Song Lam Nghe An played well but were unlucky or could not win all 3 points and after a while, the new coaching staff recognized the team's shortcomings and thoroughly overcame them. For example, preventing high balls, preventing counter-attacks and improving the ability to control the ball and control the match.

On the contrary, Song Lam Nghe An has 10 unbeaten matches. It can be affirmed that Song Lam Nghe An is still one of the teams that is very difficult to defeat. The 5-3-2 formation is inherently tight in defense and difficult to switch to attack, but Song Lam Nghe An did this very well in the second half at Hang Day Stadium, especially since Xuan Tien and Manh Quynh were put on the field.

Under Coach Phan Nhu Thuat, it feels like the players are much more confident, confident in holding the ball and implementing their play. They no longer lose focus in late game situations or get pressured even when facing very strong teams.

In the future, Song Lam Nghe An still needs to improve some weaknesses. For example, the strikers' ability to take advantage of opportunities and finish, and the midfielders' ability to cover the back line. If they want to achieve a specific and higher goal next season, Song Lam Nghe An still needs Michael Olaha to play more effectively and a foreign player with good opportunity-seizing ability.

Defeating a big team like Hanoi Club right at Hang Day, Song Lam Nghe An not only regained their confidence and the trust of their fans, but this match also proved that Song Lam Nghe An is ready to return as soon as possible when everything is getting better and better.