SLNA officially 'turns the corner'

Currently ranked 5th, SLNA is 11 points behind the top team but only 10 points behind the bottom team S.Khanh Hoa. SLNA has 23 points with the 6th and 7th ranked teams Viettel and SHB.Da Nang and is only 5 points behind the 13th ranked team Quang Nam, meaning everything will change very quickly after the next 3 rounds.

Seeking luck in adversity

In round 18, SLNA will travel to Nam Dinh, while the home team Viettel will host Quang Nam and SHB.Da Nang will host Saigon. This is a match where the Nghe An team will "handicap the West" when both foreign players Michael Olaha and Damir Memović of SLNA will have to sit out because they received 3 yellow cards.

Time for Tuan Tai and Xuan Manh to show their class. Photo: SLNA Fan Club

Meanwhile, the home team Thien Truong has a big advantage at home and plays 3 foreign players and naturalized player Le Van Phu. In 8 home matches, Van Sy and Nam Dinh players have earned 19 points, only losing to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the "home kings" by 1 point. Many teams such as the defending champion Hanoi or recently Thanh Hoa have been defeated at Thien Truong.

The Brazilian strikers Gustavo and Diogo Pereira have only played together for the first time but have shown quite a good understanding. They often move wide, stretching the opponent's defenders for the second line so that midfielders Sy Minh and Manh Hung can take advantage of favorable positions. Gustavo and Diogo Pereira, in addition to scoring goals, are also capable of creating. A big challenge for the away team is that the Serbian midfielder - Damir Memović of SLNA is not playing.

Normally, when the opponent is tired, Coach Van Dung will put the small player The Vuong with good speed on the field to replace Manh Hung, who has a technical and penetrating style of play. The 2 foreign players of Nam Dinh have long-range shots that are not inferior to Van Toan and Tuan Anh (HAGL) who just "fired" into the net of goalkeeper Nguyen Manh.

Homeowner's loophole

Observing the teams that have won against Nam Dinh such as Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City or S. Khanh Hoa, the team that won right at Thien Truong Stadium, they all used the wing-cutting tactic. At that time, the central defenders E. Agbaji and Le Van Phu were forced to come to the rescue and exposed their weakness right in front of Dinh Xuan Viet's goal. These two central defenders are strong in confrontation but are slow and clumsy in handling the ball within 16.5m.

Thanh Tinh's (SHB.Da Nang) left wing pass and then pass to the second line for Anh Tuan to score is something coach Duc Thang and SLNA players must study. Michael Olaha not being able to play again is a good condition for Tuan Tai to move up to play as a striker.

In our opinion, Xuan Thang is the favorite partner of this number 10 striker, their ability to coordinate short distances is quite good. When Dinh Hoang is on the field, Xuan Manh will have the opportunity to be pushed up to take on the role of winger.

Despite having a good home record, Nam Dinh also lost 1-2 to the visiting team S.Khanh Hoa at Thien Truong Stadium. With a solid defense, SLNA can still think about getting 1 point, or even winning away.

Aim for at least 5 points

SLNA's coaching staff needs to calculate the exact path when "turning". Photo: SLNA Fan Club

According to calculations, if SLNA does not get at least 5 points in the next 3 matches, it will be difficult for them to maintain their position in the top 10. Many people believe that SLNA's coaching staff is calculating to "wash out the cards" so that foreign players can play with peace of mind.Viettel, Hai Phong at Vinh Stadium.

But those who know the Nghe team well believe that in this context, few coaches would choose such a risky option. No one is 80% sure that SLNA will win against two opponents considered difficult to play in the V.League. For many years, Vinh Stadium has been the "favorite address" of the Hai Phong team, they always leave Vinh and "bring back gifts".

In the first 13 matches, SLNA only conceded 9 goals, but after 4 matches, the Nghe team has lost 7 goals. The shield in front of the 2 central defenders of SLNA has disappeared in recent matches. When the attack is not sharp, the defense must be good, that is what the Nghe team needs to do when "turning corners".

An Thanh