Looking towards V.League 2019, SLNA facing difficulties because of new sponsor?

Hoai Hoan• January 28, 2019 13:30

(Baonghean.vn) - Although there is basic information about the new sponsor of the Song Lam Nghe An football team, currently, the preparation process for V.League 2019 of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team is facing certain difficulties.

According to Nghe An Newspaper, when the sponsorship contract between Bac A Bank and SLNA ended, a strong Vietnamese economic group headed by a Nghe An boss intended to sponsor the Nghe An football team. However, unfortunately, this unit withdrew for unknown reasons.

After a rather complicated negotiation process, at the meeting on January 16 between Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, SLNA Football Joint Stock Company and another sponsor, important results were achieved. However, due to lack of budget, SLNA is facing certain difficulties before V.League 2019.

The cost of upgrading the stadium and the benefits for SLNA players will be affected because the new sponsor has not arrived yet. Photo: Duc Anh

Firstly, due to lack of funds, coach Duc Thang and his team withdrew from the Viettel Open Training Tournament. Instead, to select foreign players, SLNA will only play against Ulsan Hyundai Club at PVF Sports Center and the upcoming matches at Vinh Stadium against Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa.

In terms of personnel, SLNA actively negotiated with midfielder Ngo Hoang Thinh and had a preliminary agreement on signing fee and salary. While waiting for new funding, coach Duc Thang took advantage of personal relationships to borrow money, hoping to complete this contract soon, but the former SLNA player unexpectedly joined Ho Chi Minh City Club.

Despite successful negotiations with veterans such as Van Binh, Quang Tinh, Dinh Dong and foreign player Michael Olaha, SLNA has yet to complete the contract. More importantly, the delay in sponsorship may make the negotiation process with national player Trong Hoang unfavorable. Meanwhile, Viettel and many other clubs are eager to own the 2018 AFF Cup champion.

At this time, SLNA has selected 2 new high-quality African foreign players, who regularly practice with the team. Foreign player Olaha Michael returned to SLNA today (January 28), but it can be said that the team's plan for V.League 2019 is too passive.

The new season will start on February 23, which is only about 3 weeks away, but up to now SLNA is still "empty". This makes SLNA's coaching staff, players and fans of Nghe An feel impatient and certainly the team's preparation process is being affected.

According to Nghe An Newspaper, because the spending budget for 2019 is not yet available, SLNA players may have their salaries delayed as the Lunar New Year approaches. However, SLNA players will still receive the Lunar New Year bonus, the team's founding day allowance... from the budget of Bac A Bank according to the old 2018 regulations./.

Hoai Hoan