SLNA: Another disappointing season?

(Baonghean) - The 2017 season has been underway for several months, but in the V.League, SLNA is still languishing at the bottom of the table with inconsistent performances. With 12 points after 10 rounds, the team from Nghe An seems to only have enough strength to avoid relegation rather than compete for the top positions in the standings. In youth competitions, the SLNA U19 team has participated in the national U19 finals. The draw placed SLNA U19 in the same group as strong teams like Hanoi, PVF, and Khanh Hoa.

In their first match, Coach Nguyen Dinh Dung's players had to push themselves to the limit to narrowly defeat U19 Khanh Hoa 2-1. In their second match against U19 Hanoi, U19 SLNA showed their inexperience by playing as the underdog. With a tight defensive and quick counter-attacking style, U19 SLNA only managed to keep a clean sheet in the first half. In the second half, their defense couldn't withstand the pressure and conceded goals. With a bit more luck, the opposing team could have secured a resounding victory.

At the same time, PVF comfortably defeated U19 Khanh Hoa with a score of 3-0. Therefore, to secure a place in the semi-finals, U19 SLNA only has one option left: they must win against U19 PVF in the final match of Group B, which takes place today, March 26th.

Considering the strength and playing style of both teams, only a "miracle" would allow U19 SLNA to overcome U19 PVF, but even if they did, progressing further in this tournament would still be very difficult for U19 SLNA, let alone competing for the championship. Because in Group A, U19 Viettel showed their formidable strength by scoring 8 goals against U19 Long An in a single match.

A ball contest between U19 SLNA and U19 Hanoi T&T. (Photo: Archival image)

Witnessing the performances of the U19 Hanoi, U19 PVF, and U19 Viettel teams, we can't help but worry about the quality of the current SLNA youth players. The U19 SLNA players are inferior to their opponents in terms of physique and stamina, and their technical and tactical skills are also not outstanding. With their current capabilities, U19 SLNA can only compete with teams from provinces like Long An, Binh Dinh, and Thua Thien Hue, and it will be difficult for them to earn points against teams like U19 Hanoi, U19 PVF, and U19 Viettel.

Although other youth teams haven't played yet, looking at the strength of the newly emerging, high-level training academies that are currently receiving significant investment, such as Hanoi, PVF, and Viettel, the SLNA young players have little chance of winning against these opponents.

It seems that the same thing happened in the 2016 season for SLNA, as the Nghe An team only managed to "secure their place in the V.League," while their youth teams from U11 to U21 ended up empty-handed!

Duc Dung