Hai Phong vs SLNA: A stage for foreign players.

(Baonghean.vn) - Although both teams will face personnel difficulties when they clash at Lach Tray Stadium on the afternoon of April 2nd, this will not diminish the excitement of the match between the yellow and red teams.

In terms of personnel, the Nghe An team is at a significant disadvantage. The list of players sidelined with injuries at home is almost enough to fill an entire team. This includes goalkeeper Le Van Hung, center-backs The Nhat and Manh Hung, defender Dinh Hoang; and midfielders Sy Sam, Ngoc Toan, Xuan Thang, and Phu Nguyen.

SLNA also has another concern: their three national team players only have a little over a day to rest before playing in the V.League. After a nearly 30-hour journey with the Vietnamese national team returning from the Asian Cup qualifiers, physical condition is a major issue for Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, and Tuan Tai.

Even with their strongest lineup, SLNA is no longer as dangerous as before to trouble the home team. This is because Hai Phong's attacking wingers, Fagan and Stevens, are still challenging every V.League defense.

Ngoc Hai's task was to minimize the threat posed by the duo of Fagan and Stevens. Photo: Trung Kien

Playing at Lạch Tray Stadium has never been easy for SLNA, due to the pressure from the home team's fans in the stands. Even when captain Huy Hoàng was still playing, this was still a "difficult place" because of the psychological weaknesses of the young players.

In recent seasons, Hai Phong has been very successful with its 8-2 formation when they lose possession. This means a tight defense with Le Van Phu as the anchor and the independent attacking capabilities of the two foreign players up front. Although not tall or physically imposing, center-back Van Phu possesses some of the best situational awareness and covering abilities in the V.League at this time. V.League players facing Hai Phong admit that to score against Hai Phong, they first have to get past this center-back born in 1983.

Therefore, in the upcoming match, SLNA's chances are not small, as this player is almost certainly unable to play, especially strikers Olaha and Henry. With the remaining central defenders like Xuan Anh, Hoai Xuan, or Quang Huy of Hai Phong, SLNA's two foreign players are still capable of causing difficulties...

Furthermore, the uncertainty surrounding goalkeeper Dang Van Lam's participation is also a positive sign if SLNA wants to earn points away from home.

Up to this point, the only player capable of effectively neutralizing and marking Fagan for Hai Phong is Hoang Van Binh - a former SLNA midfielder. However, with Ngoc Toan absent from SLNA, the SLNA coaching staff would not dare risk using Van Vinh in this position because Fagan possesses extraordinary speed and stamina.

Therefore, it is highly likely that Ngoc Hai will be forced to start from the beginning and play in the central midfield position. The midfield will be a fierce battle between Quoc Trung and the Vietnamese national team's center-back.

Striker Phan Văn Đức had a fairly good performance in the recent match against HAGL, which is not a bad option for SLNA when they are struggling with attacking options - Photo: Trung Kiên

The role of SLNA's defensive midfielder in this match will largely determine the outcome. Because when there aren't enough defensive players, or the wingbacks haven't had time to retreat, this player must act as the deepest-lying center-back or fill in the necessary gaps.

In addition, Minh Duc and Van Khanh will be guarding the goal in front of Nguyen Manh. SLNA's concerns remain as, on the flanks, Ngoc Duc, Sy Nam, and Xuan Manh have yet to inspire confidence in their teammates and fans.

In recent seasons, the only time SLNA truly shone at Lach Tray Stadium was in the 2014 V.League season. In that match, thanks to the brilliant performance of Le Cong Vinh, the Nghe An team thrashed their opponents 5-2 in a "waterlogged" game.

With a brace from The Cuong, Paul Emile, and the opening header from the former Vietnam national team captain, SLNA mostly underperformed in other matches, resulting in draws and losses for the rest of the season.

Nevertheless, SLNA is still at a disadvantage playing away from home, and their current form doesn't give Coach Duc Thang's team the highest level of confidence. Therefore, it's not surprising that the match at Lach Tray Stadium this weekend will be a showcase for the foreign players. And it will be a match where both teams have to compensate for their defensive weaknesses with offensive strength...

Trung Kien