Long An - SLNA (1 - 2): Goodbye, sadness!

(Baonghean.vn) - A brace from foreign player Henry against goalkeeper Minh Nhựt of Long An helped SLNA secure their first valuable victory. All pressure on the Nghe An team has been temporarily lifted; now, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his players can think about reuniting with their families and loved ones.

Old script

At the Long An stadium, the scenario from SLNA's two matches against XSKT Can Tho and S. Khanh Hoa was repeated once again. After the yellow-shirted team scored two goals in quick succession at the beginning of the second half, the SLNA coaching staff resorted to their familiar tactic of instructing the players to retreat deep into their own half to play a defensive-counterattacking game with a single striker, Henry, anchoring the front line.

The coaching staff's overly cautious decision nearly led SLNA to suffer the same fate as in previous matches.

Reading their opponent's intentions, Long An, with nothing left to lose, pushed forward into the Nghe An team's half. The ball was constantly passed to the positions where the Oseni-Apollon duo were positioned. Noticing that Xuan Manh was playing out of position, coach Ngo Quang Sang instructed veteran Quang Thanh to exploit this weak point.

In a close-range situation, the 1996-born player made a careless back pass to Nguyen Manh. Faced with Oseni's effort, the SLNA goalkeeper had no choice but to foul the opposing striker right near the penalty area.

SLNA (in yellow jerseys) continued their winning streak at Long An Stadium. Photo: Internet.

The pressure from the red-shirted players finally translated into a goal, after a precise penalty kick from American striker Apollon. However, reviewing the earlier collision between Ngoc Hai and Tan Tai, it was clear that referee Quoc Hung made a mistake after the home team player's dive. The score was reduced to 1-2 for Long An, and the pressure on goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's goal increased. Two notable incidents involved dives inside the SLNA penalty area by players coached by Ngo Quang Sang. Fortunately, referee Quoc Hung was not fooled and waved the ball to continue.

Van Khanh and his teammates held onto their 2-1 lead until the end of the match, much to the anxiety of SLNA fans. Thus, after 14 visits to Long An Stadium, the team from Nghe An has yet to suffer a single defeat. The scenario of the match in Round 4 of the V.League 2017 between Coach Ngo Quang Sang's team and SLNA unfolded quite similarly to the return match between the two teams last season. Naturally, the winner was still the visiting team from Nghe An.

New joy

Doubts about the quality and integration of the Henry-Olaha duo have been dispelled. In this match, star striker Henry scored consecutively, giving SLNA the lead with two different styles: one from a decisive long-range shot, and the other from a perfectly positioned finish inside the opponent's penalty area. This demonstrates the all-around ability of a top-class goalscorer. And this is the third consecutive match in which the Trinidad & Tobago newcomer has scored for SLNA, bringing his total goals in the V.League to four. An impressive start for the striker born in 1994.

While not making as strong an impression as his teammate Henry, Olaha played diligently in the midfield. However, the Nigerian player's contributions to the team's overall play were significant. In the absence of playmaker Khắc Ngọc, all of SLNA's attacking moves went through Olaha. Besides his basic skills as a striker, the 19-year-old also performed well in his role as an assist provider. Henry's opening goal came from a delicate pass by Olaha.

Newcomer Henry scored in his third consecutive match for SLNA. Photo: Internet.

Furthermore, SLNA's squad is no longer as thin as last season, as their backup options have proven their worth and expertise. When Khac Ngoc is unavailable, Van Vinh fills in perfectly. When Ngoc Toan is injured, Sy Sam responds promptly. When The Cuong is sidelined, Van Duc also performs his assigned duties well... Now, the concern about the disparity between reserve players and key players has been reasonably addressed by the SLNA coaching staff. With only four rounds of the 2017 V. League completed, the current squad depth will be a crucial foundation for the Nghe An team to aim for a more successful season.

SLNA secured an important victory in the final days of the Year of the Monkey. The three points earned on the Long An pitch were the most meaningful New Year's greeting from coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team to the fans of Nghe An province.

"After the rain comes sunshine," after all the difficulties they've faced, now it's time for Nguyen Manh and his teammates to sing together: Farewell, sadness!

Thanh Hung