Ho Chi Minh City - Song Lam Nghe An: Questions for the away team's coaching staff
(Baonghean.vn) - Before the away match against Ho Chi Minh City Club, SLNA's coaching staff is having a headache about the team's difficult problems.
The draw at Tam Ky stadium a few days ago, SLNA not only dropped 2 points but also made central defender Ngoc Hai "sit and watch" for at least 3 weeks. Thus, coach Nguyen Duc Thang had to accept the risk with the central defender duo Van Khanh - Minh Duc.
In the minutes of playing together in the second half against the home team Quang Nam, the coordination between Minh Duc and Van Khanh was not really good. The equalizer 3-3 by striker Minh Tuan in the 82nd minute was a clear proof of that.
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| Ngoc Hai's absence will make SLNA's defense more fragile. Photo: Internet. |
In a central attack, player Dinh Thang made a smart pass into the vast space between the SLNA central defenders, helping teammate Minh Tuan comfortably rush down to defeat goalkeeper Nguyen Manh.
For the second time in a row in 4 days, veteran defender Minh Duc played the role of “sinner” due to very elementary mistakes (Than Quang Ninh’s equalizer in the 89th minute was also directly due to Minh Duc’s mistake). It seems that the player born in 1983 is no longer at the peak of his performance.
Therefore, the absence of the mainstay central defender Ngoc Hai really makes SLNA's coaching staff face a problem in defense, where the situation of "attacking and defending" still happens regularly.
In addition, the appearance of rookie Kovacevic poses an equally difficult problem for coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his colleagues. If the Montenegrin striker is placed in the starting lineup, it means that Phuc Tinh's chance to play will be seriously threatened.
It is worth mentioning that in recent matches, the striker born in 1994 has been in quite good form when he has continuously scored for the Nghe An team. The goal to increase the score to 3 - 2 at Tam Ky Stadium in round 15 was the third time the striker wearing the number 18 shirt has done so in just the last 4 matches this striker has played.
Not only does Phuc Tinh play a good role in scoring goals, he also contributes a lot to the team's playing style. His constant movement and good coordination with his teammates has helped SLNA's attack become more flexible and unpredictable. Pushing Phuc Tinh to the bench to make room for new player Kovacevic is too cruel to the young striker who just turned 23 years old.
In fact, there is still a solution for Phuc Tinh’s situation. That is, SLNA’s coaching staff will withdraw 1 central midfielder, instruct Olaha to play back, Phuc Tinh and Kovacevic will form a “1 domestic – 1 foreign” duo. Because, the foreign player from Montenegro can play well in the role of an attacking midfielder.
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| It is likely that rookie Kovacevic will have his debut match for his new team. Photo: Internet |
At that time, the two players who were "cut" were most likely Van Vinh and Thanh Phong. Observing SLNA's recent matches, both Van Vinh and Thanh Phong did not prove much. Objectively speaking, it was not too much to let them sit on the bench. However, Olaha - Khac Ngoc are attacking midfielders, and it is difficult to play a good defensive role.
Therefore, the presence of Kovacevic is causing certain disruptions to the current lineup and playing style of SLNA. Certainly, the Nghe An team does not sign a contract with a foreign player just to be a backup plan. It will not be surprising if the Montenegrin striker is in the starting lineup in the match between TP.HCM and SLNA.
In short, if SLNA wants to get a point leaving Thong Nhat Stadium of Ho Chi Minh City Club, the coaching staff of SLNA must solve the problems related to the absence of Ngoc Hai and the appearance of new player Kovacevic./.
Thanh Hung