SLNA goalkeeper Le Quang Dai: A lost bird.

For SLNA's away match against Persija Jakarta in Indonesia as part of the 2018 AFC Cup group stage, coach Duc Thang brought 16 players amidst a squad crisis. Captain Tran Nguyen Manh had a broken arm, while the two reserve goalkeepers, Le Van Hung and Tran Van Tien, were both injured and unable to play. A relatively unfamiliar goalkeeper, Le Quang Dai, appeared in goal.

Despite never having played internationally, Le Quang Dai stood firm alongside the SLNA defense against the immense pressure from Persija Jakarta and approximately 60,000 fans in the stands of the Bung Karno Stadium for 90 minutes. The goalkeeper from Nam Dan made at least three crucial saves for the Nghe An team, playing with such confidence that he seemed like the embodiment of Tran Nguyen Manh.

Goalkeeper Le Quang Dai in a rare start for Song Lam Nghe An in the AFC Cup 2018. Photo: FBNV

Despite not being tall enough for a goalkeeper (1.78m), his positioning and judgment frustrated the tall and strong attacking line of the home team. It wasn't until the third minute of added time that Quang Đại was finally beaten by Adisson's powerful volley inside the penalty area. An unavoidable goal conceded while SLNA were missing a defender couldn't overshadow the outstanding performance of this young goalkeeper.

In fact, it's understandable that fans in Nghe An province are unaware of Le Quang Dai's presence in the SLNA squad. He is one of the talented young players who joined the SLNA academy along with Que Ngoc Hai and Pham Manh Hung, all born in 1993, and was discovered and mentored by coach Nguyen Thanh Cong.

Despite being promoted to the first team in the V.League 2016, under the overwhelming shadow and untouchable position of Nguyen Manh, Quang Dai was only the third-choice goalkeeper, behind even his senior teammate Le Van Hung. In the past three years, Le Quang Dai has not once been named in SLNA's starting lineup, neither in the National Cup nor the V.League.

Having spent most of his time warming the bench at SLNA, and with Nguyen Manh suffering an injury, it seemed like a greater opportunity for Quang Dai to prove himself. However, the SLNA coaching staff decided to loan goalkeeper Phan Dinh Vu Hai from Hai Phong instead. At that time, the Nghe An team had six goalkeepers, including Tran Van Tien and Le Van Hung, competing for a spot in the squad. Unable to secure a place, SLNA decided to let Le Quang Dai leave and join Phu Dong Club on loan.

Interestingly, this quiet departure came as a surprise to many. This is because Phu Dong FC is a relatively unknown team playing in the Second Division of the Vietnamese National Football League system.

Given Quang Dai's skill and class, he could at least play for a team in the First Division, or even the V.League. Even a young goalkeeper from SLNA like Ho Viet Tu is being given the opportunity to prove himself playing for Dong Thap FC in the First Division. Many people feel sorry for Quang Dai.

Currently, the Second Division has completed 4 rounds of matches. Quang Dai and Phu Dong Football Club have achieved 3 wins and 1 draw, and are competing for the top spot in Group A with Lam Dong Football Club.

Joining this team could be seen as a step backward in Le Quang Dai's top-level playing career, but in return, he gets to gain experience on the field and is no longer accustomed to sitting in the dugout or in the stands watching his teammates play.

Song Lam Nghe An's squad at the AFC Cup 2018. Photo: FBNV

After the end of the 2018 Second Division season, Quang Dai still had time to return to SLNA. However, at the end of this year, Quang Dai's contract with SLNA also expires, and it is highly likely that he will have to find a new club.

In a conversation with the writer, Le Quang Dai shared: “No matter which team I play for, I will try my best to show what I can do. Nothing makes me happier than playing for my hometown team, so I will never give up. By training hard and focusing on the game, I always believe that opportunities will come.”

Trung Kien