Looking for the new captain and symbol of SLNA

Monument to the past

In the past, when talking about Nghe An football, people often mentioned central defender Huu Thang as a conductor, a leader both on the field and in the dressing room of SLNA. Huu Thang possesses the necessary qualities of a leader, good professional skills, a generous and chivalrous lifestyle, enthusiasm for competition and loyalty to the team of this number 4 central defender is indisputable. That is why Nghe An fans consider Huu Thang as the symbol of the team, when mentioning Huu Thang, people remember SLNA and vice versa.

Nguyen Huu Thang is still a monument of Nghe An football. Photo: Duc Anh

It was thought that Huy Hoang would be the “successor” of the Nghe An team, because when it comes to class and loyalty, the former SLNA captain has more than enough. But unfortunately, the troubles off the field at the end of his life have caused Huy Hoang’s image to be lost too much. Since then, SLNA has only had pure captains on the field, there is no player who can be worthy of becoming a new symbol for the Nghe An team.

Trong Hoang is the next person to wear the captain's armband for SLNA. Quite well-mannered and gentle, this midfielder's voice does not exude the necessary authority of a leader of a team with many angular faces like SLNA. Up to now, Trong Hoang still plays stubbornly and aggressively, but becoming a team leader is difficult.

When Trong Hoang left, goalkeeper Nguyen Manh was appointed as the captain of SLNA. Like Trong Hoang, goalkeeper Nguyen Manh was also a national player, but when he returned to Vinh Stadium, the "goalkeeper" from Nghe An only fulfilled his personal role. When SLNA faced difficulties, Vinh Stadium spectators rarely saw Nguyen Manh directing his teammates, simply because this goalkeeper's personality was not suitable for this role.

SLNA does not lack talent, after Huy Hoang, the Vinh team has had Que Ngoc Hai, Phi Son and recently Van Duc, Xuan Manh. But because of Phi Son's livelihood, Ngoc Hai left Vinh early, not having time to be included in the "planning" of the Nghe An team's monument.

Anxiously waiting for Van Khanh to perform

At the age of 25, Van Khanh was appointed to wear the SLNA captain's armband after a successful performance in V.League 2019. Playing alongside center-back Damir Memović helped Van Khanh have his best season since joining the SLNA first team. As a center-back who tends to play aggressively, preferring to rush out to compete rather than cover for teammates, last season his ability to coordinate with Damir Memović was quite good, so there were almost no mistakes. After the departure of a series of key players, Van Khanh is the most likely candidate for coach Quang Truong to give the captain's armband.

Hoang Van Khanh is an important pillar of SLNA. Photo: Document

On the contrary, if Van Khanh makes the same personal mistakes as before as captain, the “benefits do not outweigh the disadvantages”. In a few pre-season test matches, the new captain Van Khanh’s mark is still too faint. Many people think that SLNA’s coaching staff needs to choose a central defender with good covering ability to promote Van Khanh’s strengths.

Build a new icon

Currently, SLNA has 2 national players, Van Duc and Xuan Manh. These are players with healthy lifestyles, stable professional skills and quite enthusiastic competitive spirit. If the club leaders convince them to stay with SLNA for a long time, it will not be long before SLNA has a new symbol.

If the club's leaders convince Van Duc and Xuan Manh to stay with SLNA for a long time, SLNA will likely have a new symbol soon. Photo: Archive

An Thanh