Midfielder Nguyen Quang Tinh - SLNA's 'Rookie'

Thanh Hung• August 3, 2019 19:19

(Baonghean.vn) - Every time player number 28 scores, the Nghe An team wins all 3 points. That is why Nguyen Quang Tinh has been nicknamed "the rookie" of the home team by SLNA fans.

From the doubter…

Returning to Vinh Stadium after 3 seasons with XSKT Can Tho (2016 - 2018), many experts and fans of Nghe An were skeptical about the performance of the midfielder from Do Luong. In V.League 2018, while playing for the Tay Do team, Nguyen Quang Tinh did not prove much. 13 starting matches and 1 goal were what the former SLNA captain achieved for XSKT Can Tho.

Witnessing Nguyen Quang Tinh’s performances last season, everyone could see the burden of age in the running steps and one-on-one situations with opposing players of the midfielder wearing the number 17 shirt (at XSKT Can Tho, Nguyen Quang Tinh wore the number 17 shirt). Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why some SLNA fans think that Nguyen Quang Tinh returned to Vinh Stadium to “retire”.

Nguyen Quang Tinh in XSKT Can Tho shirt. Photo: Internet.

That assessment was proven by the extremely lackluster performances of the midfielder from Do Luong in the first matches of V.League 2019. From the left winger position, then the right winger position to the central midfielder position, Nguyen Quang Tinh did not meet the requirements of the Coaching Board. Not only was he weak in the situations of competition and acceleration, but Nguyen Quang Tinh also lost his inherent sophistication in handling the ball in tight spaces.

The disappointment for Nguyen Quang Tinh was not small, although everyone had anticipated it. Even when he scored a goal against SHB Da Nang in round 6, public opinion still only talked about the mistake of the home team's central defender Pham Manh Hung, rather than being excited about Nguyen Quang Tinh's first goal for SLNA since the "reunion". Instead of being disappointed, Nguyen Quang Tinh threw himself into training to assert himself.

…became SLNA's "golden boy"

Finally, Nguyen Quang Tinh's efforts were rewarded. In the match between SLNA and HAGL in round 13, the player from Do Luong made Vinh Stadium explode with a beautiful volley that hit the visitors' net, raising the score to 2-0. Notably, this goal came after Nguyen Quang Tinh was brought on as a substitute exactly 13 minutes (entered the field in the 65th minute, scored in the 78th minute). This is considered one of the most beautiful goals of V.League this year.

However, up to now, the most important and meaningful goal of Nguyen Quang Tinh in V.League 2019 is a one-touch kick that defeated goalkeeper Ngo Xuan Son, breaking the deadlock in the match between SLNA and Viettel in round 19. In this match, the Nghe An team won with a score of 3-1 against the away team Viettel and thereby ending a series of 5 consecutive matches with only draws and losses.

Midfielder Quang Tinh opened the scoring. Photo: Duc Anh

Speaking at the press conference, coach Nguyen Duc Thang also admitted that Nguyen Quang Tinh's goal was the turning point of the match between SLNA and Viettel. The strategist born in 1977 shared: "When there is an early goal, I always urge the players to be alert and control the game. When SLNA scores, the opponent will rush forward to find an equalizer. At that time, the team will counterattack quickly. I am very sorry that SLNA missed many opportunities from Olaha or Tuan Tai."

One very notable detail is that all 3 times Nguyen Quang Tinh scored, the Nghe An team won all 3 points. Calling Nguyen Quang Tinh the "golden boy" of SLNA is not an exaggeration.

V.League 2019 still has 7 more rounds to go, the opportunity for Nguyen Quang Tinh to score more goals to help SLNA gain a high position on the rankings is still very large. Hopefully, the midfielder from Do Luong will have a successful season with his hometown team./.

Thanh Hung