Ho Tuan Tai - a headache for the SLNA coaching staff!

(Baonghean.vn) - In the 90+3 minute, Tuan Tai headed the ball into the net against B. Binh Duong, saving SLNA from a defeat at home. The 21-year-old striker's brilliant performance only added to the headaches for the coaching staff of the Nghe An team.

"Father Nguyen Dinh Thuc incites parishioners."

There was no need to wait until Tuan Tai scored to earn SLNA a point, nor was there a need to wait until they lost patience with foreign player Olaha; just one or two seasons ago, fans in Nghe An already wanted the young striker, nicknamed "the successor to Van Quyen," to lead the attack for the Vinh-based team.

Of course, the hopes of SLNA fans are not unfounded, because simply put, with his proven talent, the striker born in 1995 fully deserves the trust of the SLNA coaching staff.

Now, after witnessing Tuan Tai's goal in the match against B. Binh Duong, the question arises: Will the SLNA coaching staff include this player in the starting lineup? The most accurate answer will have to wait until the team's away match against Saigon FC next week. But even now, the SLNA coaching staff is facing a headache when considering Tuan Tai. Determining the most appropriate position for the U22 Vietnam national team player is no simple matter.

With his equalizer goal in the SLNA - B. BD match (1-1), Tuan Tai deserved the trust of the SLNA coaching staff. Photo: Duc Anh.

Originally a center forward, Tuan Tai only truly shines when deployed as the spearhead of the attack. In the 2016 V. League season, although he only started playing regularly in the second half, Tuan Tai's contributions to the Nghe An team were significant. In the match between SLNA and Than Quang Ninh in round 14, when the home team struggled to find the net, the SLNA coaching staff brought Tuan Tai onto the field. Immediately, the player from Hung Nguyen scored a brace, contributing to his team's 4-0 victory.

Since his brilliant performance against Than Quang Ninh, Tuan Tai has consistently earned the trust of the SLNA coaching staff, being given a starting position in the attack alongside foreign player Odat. Relieved of the pressure, Tuan Tai has played increasingly well and maturely. His only goal against FLC Thanh Hoa, and his two opening goals in SLNA's victories against Long An (2-1) and B. Binh Duong (2-0), speak volumes about his outstanding performance in the final stages of the 2016 V. League season.

Given the progress of the "successor to Van Quyen," many experts have suggested that the head coach of the Vietnamese national team should call up Tuan Tai for the AFF Suzuki Cup.

Clearly, Tuan Tai deserves a spot in SLNA's attack with what he has shown, especially after scoring two goals: one against U22 Malaysia (while playing for the Vietnam U22 national team) and one against B. Binh Duong in the recent match.

The dilemma for SLNA's coaching staff is that if they use Tuan Tai, it means one of the four players – Henry, Olaha, Phi Son, or The Cuong – will have to sit on the bench. Henry and Phi Son are obviously untouchable. Theoretically, it can only be The Cuong or Olaha.

Recently, striker Olaha has been receiving a lot of criticism from experts and fans in Nghe An province for his lack of finishing ability. However, it's difficult for the SLNA coaching staff to decide to drop the Nigerian player and replace him with Tuan Tai. It's true that Olaha hasn't lived up to expectations in terms of goal-scoring. Nevertheless, his contributions to defense and attack cannot be denied.

The coaching staff intends for Olaha to operate in a wider and deeper role, utilizing his physical strength, physique, and good tackling ability to add muscle to SLNA's midfield. If Olaha is benched, the team's defensive wall will become noticeably weaker.

Therefore, the other player who could potentially be replaced by Tuan Tai is left midfielder The Cuong. Observing Tuan Tai's recent substitute appearances, it's clear that the position the "successor to Van Quyen" usually plays is on the wing.

SLNA's coaching staff is having a headache regarding Tuan Tai's situation. Photo: Duc Anh.

Specifically in the match against B. Binh Duong, Tuan Tai came on as a substitute for The Cuong, then switched wings with Phi Son. Objectively speaking, apart from the goal he just scored, Tuan Tai didn't leave much of a clear mark. Meanwhile, throughout the tournament so far, the diminutive midfielder The Cuong has played quite excellently. Not only did he contribute with a goal against Quang Nam, the player born in 1990 also showed his ability to dribble, penetrate the opponent's penalty area, and provide good defensive support. Making The Cuong a substitute to give Tuan Tai a starting spot is truly unfair to the midfielder born in 1990.

That doesn't mean there are no other solutions for Tuan Tai. It's simply a matter of whether the SLNA coaching staff dares to take the risk. A more drastic solution would be to drop one central midfielder, then move Olaha further back, giving the remaining striker position to Tuan Tai. That seems the most feasible approach. However, it would disrupt the team's established system.

This shows that the SLNA coaching staff is facing a major dilemma regarding Tuan Tai's situation. Not using him risks wasting his talent and stifling his potential, but boldly using him also brings about numerous drawbacks.

Thanh Hung