SLNA vs Viettel: A 'life or death' match
(Baonghean.vn) - After a series of poor results, Song Lam Nghe An returns to Vinh Stadium to host Viettel FC in the 19th round. With their backs against the wall, this is an opportunity for the Nghe An team to improve their points total in the standings if they want to avoid being in the relegation battle.
In the V.League standings after round 18, SLNA is ranked 9th with 23 points. Notably, this position is only 4 points behind the second-to-last team, Saigon FC, and just one win away from the 3rd-placed team. Meanwhile, Viettel is in 7th place with 24 points, only one draw ahead of SLNA. Therefore, the result of the upcoming match at Vinh Stadium will greatly determine the rankings of these two teams.
In terms of form, SLNA is currently a major disappointment, having just gone through 6 matches with only draws and losses. Most recently, they suffered two defeats away at HAGL and Nam Định. Meanwhile, newcomer Viettel has a fairly good record with 2 losses, 2 wins, and 1 draw.
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| In the first leg, SLNA and Viettel played to a goalless draw. Photo: Tien Dung |
On SLNA's side, despite adding a foreign player, Joel Vincius, all that this player has contributed to SLNA since the first half of the season is one goal from a penalty kick.
Despite their poor performance, in terms of defense, the Nghe An team still boasts the best defense in the V.League with only 18 goals conceded, a figure equal to that of Hanoi FC. Conversely, SLNA's attack is only one goal better than Viettel's.
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| Viettel's new signing poses a significant challenge for SLNA at this time. Photo: Tien Dung |
However, the biggest loss for SLNA is the absence of Pham Xuan Manh, who is recovering from injury. This leaves coach Nguyen Duc Thang facing a difficult problem in the midfield, which has already been without Phan Van Duc throughout the season.
This is only the second time SLNA and Viettel have faced each other in Vietnam's top football league. In the first leg, SLNA and the team with the spirit of "The Cong" played to a goalless draw at Hang Day Stadium.
The clash between SLNA and Viettel will be even more interesting as this marks Que Ngoc Hai's first homecoming since leaving SLNA. Meanwhile, Nguyen Trong Hoang is already very familiar with facing his hometown team right at Vinh Stadium.
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| Michael Olaha's return will give SLNA's attack more options against Viettel. Photo: Tien Dung |
However, it's worth remembering that Viettel's newcomer has scored 8 goals in the first 30 minutes throughout their V.League campaign so far. This means SLNA must be extremely cautious when playing at Vinh Stadium.
Throughout the previous rounds, SLNA displayed a lackluster and disjointed style of play, unlike in the first half of the season. This time, returning to their home ground, the team from Nghe An must play a do-or-die match against Viettel to improve their ranking.
PREDICTED LINEUP:
SLNA:TM Nguyen Manh, Dinh Hoang, Van Khanh, Damir Memovic, Dinh Dong, Ngoc Toan, Khac Ngoc, Quang Tinh, Tuan Tai, Michael Olaha, Joel Vincius.
Viettel:TM The Tai, Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Trong Dai, Trong Hoang, Duy Thuong, Duc Chien, Hoang Duc, Bruno Catanhede, Ngoc Son.
Song Lam Nghe An suffered a crushing defeat against Nam Dinh at Thien Truong Stadium.
(Baonghean.vn) - As expected, coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team had a very difficult match at Thien Truong Stadium. The absence of so many key players forced SLNA to leave empty-handed.