SLNA's foreign players: "Avoiding one problem only to encounter another"?

(Baonghean) - At the beginning of the season, SLNA signed contracts with Bosman and Abubakar, but both proved to be major disappointments. Therefore, before the end of the first half of the season, SLNA had to terminate their contracts. Preparing for the second half, SLNA signed contracts with Baba and Abdul. However, through matches in the National Cup and V.League, SLNA is facing the risk of "jumping out of the frying pan into the fire." This reality is causing Quang Truong a real headache, as they have only managed to secure one point in their last three consecutive V.League matches.

According to SLNA's coaching staff, Baba (Ivory Coast) and Abdul (Nigeria) both have impressive records. One scored 20 goals in the Thai professional league, while the other played for one of Nigeria's top clubs last season. During their trials, both impressed with their physique, stamina, and ability to hold off defenders. SLNA's only concern is that Baba and Abdul may lack a bit of finesse in their finishing.

SLNA's foreign players have been a huge disappointment!

Ultimately, the Nghe An team decided to sign the contract because they had many technically skilled domestic players, which, combined with the strength and speed of the foreign players, would complement each other, thus giving them hope. In the first few training sessions, the two foreign players showed quick adaptation and were very impressive with the strength and speed exercises.

Previously, in preparation for the 2015 season, SLNA had to spend 1.5 billion VND as a signing bonus for Bosman, not including his salary of 7000 USD/month. In addition, Abubakar also cost the Nghe An team a considerable amount of money. However, before the first half of the season ended, SLNA was forced to terminate the contracts of these two foreign players due to their failure to meet professional standards. Therefore, when Baba and Abdul appeared and impressed with their skills, many were happy and hopeful that SLNA would have more attacking options in the second half of the season with these two new signings.

In the recent National Cup quarter-final match against B.Binh Duong, after completing the necessary procedures, Quang Truong fielded Baba and Abdul. Despite their eagerness to prove themselves, the two foreign players failed to make much of an impact. In fact, in several instances, Baba and Abdul were booed by the fans who demanded they be substituted.

According to assessments, apart from their physique and stamina, SLNA's two new foreign players are nothing special. In fact, their finishing ability is very poor; in the match against B.Binh Duong, they were given many opportunities but failed to convert any into goals.

One match doesn't tell the whole story, and fans in Nghe An continue to wait, hoping that in the more important V.League competition, the foreign players in the squad will prove themselves. In the match against Than Quang Ninh in Cam Pha, Quang Truong fielded Baba from the start. However, just like in the National Cup match, Baba didn't leave much of an impression. Throughout the 90 minutes of the game, the Ivorian striker was almost invisible. The attack failed to make much of an impact, and in the latter half of the second half, SLNA paid a heavy price when the home team scored the only goal of the match, leaving SLNA empty-handed in Cam Pha.

After only one or two matches, judging by the way Baba and Abdul have performed, there isn't much to hope for. This is putting Quang Truong under immense pressure, as SLNA has failed to win in their last three V.League matches. The Nghe An team, previously second in the standings, has now dropped out of the top four. There's a significant decline in the team's performance, and without improvement, things could get even worse given the intense competition in the second phase of the season.

According to experts, the reason for SLNA's poor performance recently is their lack of quality strikers. While Tuan Tai and Phuc Tinh have shown a lack of experience, the foreign players haven't improved much. After Abubakar and Bosman, Baba and Abdul also haven't shown any significant progress.

The upcoming challenge at Go Dau Stadium is proving to be a real headache for coach Quang Truong, as the squad list has been finalized and cannot be changed anymore.

Vinh Liem