Huu Thang, Huy Hoang and SLNA captains through the ages

Since 1979, SLNA has gone through 40 years of ups and downs, achieved countless titles, never had to be relegated, nearly half a century has also witnessed the captains become the symbols of the team. They are all top players of Vietnamese football and demonstrate the fighting spirit like warriors of the Nghe An team.

Center back Nguyen Huu Thang (1993-1999)

Former central defender Nguyen Huu Thang was promoted to SLNA's first team in 1993. In the same generation as Huu Thang were Phan Thanh Tuan, Ngo Quang Truong, Nguyen Van Tien, Van Sy Hung...

From this point on, Huu Thang was the captain of the Nghe An team. During this period, SLNA also achieved many titles such as Bronze Medal in the National Championship in 1996, Runner-up in the National Championship in 1997, 1998, Champion of the Spring Training Football Tournament in 1999, Champion of the National Championship in 1999.

Former center back Huu Thang is both the captain of SLNA and the leader of the Vietnam national team in history. Photo: Quang Minh

Although only 1m74 tall, Huu Thang played with “fiery” energy, famous for his tough and fierce play. From then on, the player wearing the number 4 shirt of SLNA became the leader of the team. His solid expertise, masculine and strong personality also helped Huu Thang wear the captain’s armband of the national team from 1997 to 1999.

Midfielder Ngo Quang Truong (2000-2004)

A brave dribble by Quang Truong. Photo: Quang Minh

After Huu Thang ended his playing career, the SLNA captaincy was handed over to Quang Truong. Playing in the midfield position requires a lot of technique, but the player nicknamed Truong "buffalo" also plays football with strength, true to his name. Whenever Quang Truong has the ball, the satellites around him run in the direction of the captain's attack. As captain, Quang Truong and SLNA won the 2001 V.League championship. In 2004, Quang Truong moved to play for HAGL Club.

Van Sy Son (2004)

Coach Van Sy Son. Photo: Duc Anh

After Quang Truong left SLNA to play for HAGL, defender Van Sy Son became SLNA’s captain. Despite his small stature, V.League strikers were all scared when facing this defender. He dedicated himself to SLNA until 2007 when he was 36 years old before retiring. Currently, Sy Son is still the assistant coach at Hanoi FC.

Nguyen Huy Hoang (2004-2013)

Since 2004, when he was only 23 years old, Huy Hoang's remarkable maturity has helped him gain the trust of SLNA's coaching staff. Playing in the same position as a central defender, Huy Hoang is the one who most clearly demonstrates his strong, fierce playing style and never-backing-down fighting spirit.

A skillful hook shot by Huy Hoang in SLNA shirt. Photo: Document

On the field, Huy Hoang was the spiritual support of the whole team. Huy Hoang's flying kicks were the specialty of SLNA defenders later on. The time Huy Hoang wore the captain's armband was also a quite successful period for SLNA with the 2010 National Cup championship, 2011 V.League championship, 2011 National Super Cup...

Nguyen Trong Hoang (2013)

Trong Hoang and the captain's armband in 2013. Photo: Trung Kien

After center back Huy Hoang was on the other side of his career and gradually retired, Trong Hoang was the player chosen by coach Huu Thang to be the captain of SLNA. Playing in the winger position, Trong Hoang's playing style was exactly like his senior Ngo Quang Truong. Trong Hoang's moral character and professional style were also a model for young players later on. At that time, Trong Hoang was only 23 years old.

Le Cong Vinh (2014)

Le Cong Vinh is considered a symbol of Vietnamese football. Photo: Archive

After his senior Huy Hoang retired, Le Cong Vinh returned to play for his hometown team from Sapporo Club (Japan). With his good skills and influence, Le Cong Vinh was chosen by Coach Huu Thang as the team captain. However, Cong Vinh only played for SLNA until the end of the 2014 season and went to play for B. Binh Duong from 2015.

Nguyen Quang Tinh (2015)

In 2015, SLNA said goodbye to a series of key players such as Cong Vinh and Trong Hoang. The Nghe An team still has central defender Nguyen Minh Duc and players born in 1987 and 1988 such as Tran Dinh Dong and Nguyen Quang Tinh who are veterans and have a lot of experience in competition.

Midfielder Quang Tinh at V.League 2015. Photo: Archive

And Minh Duc and Quang Tinh were chosen by coach Ngo Quang Truong to be the captains of SLNA this season. Playing in the central midfielder position, Quang Tinh is both the captain and the organizer of the ball in the middle of the field. However, that does not mean that SLNA's fiery style of play is lost.

Tran Nguyen Manh (2016-2019)

Que Ngoc Hai and Tran Nguyen Manh. Photo archive

After Quang Tinh moved to XSKT Can Tho to play, SLNA handed over the captain's armband to goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh. Historically, the title of team captain has rarely been given to a goalkeeper. However, Nguyen Manh still deserves this responsibility, he and SLNA won the National Cup in 2017. There were many times when Nguyen Manh was absent or injured, the SLNA captain's armband was given to Que Ngoc Hai.

Hoang Van Khanh (2020)

Center back Hoang Van Khanh is the most promising candidate for the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband of the team. Although only 24 years old, Van Khanh has played 5 seasons in V.League and many times played for the Vietnam U22 team and the national team.

Center back Hoang Van Khanh. Photo: Archive

With a height of over 1m80, also playing in the defender position, Van Khanh shows the qualities of a fierce and courageous central defender. Although not yet a truly outstanding player in Vietnamese football, at SLNA, Hoang Van Khanh is still considered the leader among the players born in 1995, 1996 who won the National U17 Championship in 2012 under coach Ngo Quang Truong.

Being chosen as SLNA captain is not only an honor but also a mission and a great task for Hoang Van Khanh. Because SLNA is a team with a rich tradition and identity and the captain must first inherit and promote that spirit.

Song Lam Nghe An changes coach, about to introduce sponsor

(Baonghean.vn) - Although he has packed his bags and gone to Hai Phong Club to work on a secondment, SLNA has decided to call back coach Ngo Quang Truong to lead the Nghe An team from V.League 2020. In addition, SLNA has also found another sponsor.

Trung Kien