SLNA Goalkeeper Le Quang Dai: A lost bird

SLNA's away match against Persija Jakarta in Indonesia in the 2018 AFC Cup group stage, coach Duc Thang brought 16 players with him amid a squad crisis. Captain Tran Nguyen Manh broke his arm, and two reserve goalkeepers Le Van Hung and Tran Van Tien were both injured and unable to play. A rather unfamiliar goalkeeper named Le Quang Dai appeared in goal.

Having never played internationally, Le Quang Dai stood firm with the SLNA defense against the terrible pressure of Persija Jakarta and about 60,000 fans at Bung Karno Stadium during the 90 minutes of play. The goalkeeper from Nam Dan made at least three visible saves for the Nghe An team, playing confidently like the embodiment of Tran Nguyen Manh.

Goalkeeper Le Quang Dai in a rare time as the main goalkeeper for Song Lam Nghe An at the 2018 AFC Cup. Photo: FBNV

Not having a good height for a goalkeeper (1m78), but this player's moves and judgments made the home team's tall attackers frustrated. It was not until the third minute of extra time that Quang Dai was defeated by Adisson's hammer-like volley in the penalty area. An unavoidable loss in SLNA's absence of a defender could not overshadow the excellent performance of this young goalkeeper.

In fact, it is understandable that Nghe An fans do not know about Le Quang Dai's presence in the SLNA squad. He is one of the talented young players who joined SLNA with the 1993 generation such as Que Ngoc Hai and Pham Manh Hung, who were discovered and guided by coach Nguyen Thanh Cong.

Being promoted to the first team since V.League 2016 but under the huge shadow and inviolable position of Nguyen Manh, Quang Dai is only the third goalkeeper after his senior Le Van Hung. In the past 3 years, Le Quang Dai has not been named in SLNA's starting lineup even in the National Cup or V.League.

After sitting on the bench of SLNA and when Nguyen Manh got injured, it seemed like Quang Dai would have more opportunities to prove himself, but SLNA's coaching board decided to borrow goalkeeper Phan Dinh Vu Hai from Hai Phong. At that time, the Nghe An team had 6 goalkeepers, including Tran Van Tien and Le Van Hung, competing for a place to play. Unable to stay, SLNA decided to let Le Quang Dai leave for Phu Dong Club on loan.

It is worth mentioning that this quiet departure surprised many people. Because Phu Dong Club is a strange team playing in the Second Division in the Vietnam National Championship system.

With the level and class of a goalkeeper like Quang Dai, this player should at least be able to play for a team in the First Division, or even the V.League. Even a young goalkeeper of SLNA like Ho Viet Tu is being given the opportunity to show himself in the Dong Thap Club shirt in the First Division. Many people feel sorry for Quang Dai.

Currently, the Second Division has started 4 rounds, Quang Dai and Phu Dong Football Club have 3 wins, 1 draw and compete for the first position in Group A with Lam Dong Football Club.

Joining this team can be seen as a step back in Le Quang Dai's peak playing career, but in return he gets to play on the field and is no longer used to sitting in the cabin or in the stands watching his teammates compete.

Song Lam Nghe An squad at 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, the contract between Quang Dai and SLNA also expired, most likely he will have to find a new destination.

Confiding in the writer, Le Quang Dai shared: “No matter which team I play for, I will try my best to show myself. There is nothing happier than playing for my hometown team, so I will never give up all my efforts. Try to practice and compete with concentration, I always believe that the opportunity will come.”

Trung Kien