SLNA - difficulties piled up

First of all, it must be said that Viettel is not an unfamiliar opponent to the Vinh Stadium team. In the past, in 8 visits to Vinh Stadium, the army team has never defeated the opponent. Even with great effort, the away team Viettel was only lucky to have 2 draws, losing 6 matches to SLNA. In the past, in 16 head-to-head matches, the home team SLNA also won 7, drew 7 and lost only 2 matches. But that is a story of the past, at this time, although SLNA fans love their team very much, they have to admit that the away team is stronger.

The wind has turned

Khac Ngoc - conductor of the visiting team Viettel. Photo: Viettel Club

In the last 5 rounds, SLNA only won 1, drew 1 and lost 3, while, although still not in form, Viettel players still had 2 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses to be in 3rd place, 3 points ahead of SLNA. What makes SLNA worried in the match against 4G team is because goalkeeper Nguyen Manh, Que Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang and Khac Ngoc are the main pillars of the team.

Both teams played with a 4-4-2 formation, but in terms of each position, the away team showed dominance. If the Brazilian striker duo Caique had 3 goals and Bruno had 4 goals, then P. Onyekachi and A. Sosseg would ever score a goal, which no one in the SLNA coaching board was sure of. Holding the ball and shooting on goal for the SLNA foreign players is what Nghe An fans are looking forward to.

In the midfield, Hoang Duc and Khac Ngoc are rated much higher than the SLNA midfielders, regardless of who the coaching board chooses among the three names Van Lam, Quang Tinh, Dinh Chau. Khac Ngoc's personal technique and tactical vision allow him to become the boss of the Viettel team's midfield. Not to mention, the away team's midfielders' battle experience far surpasses the home team's young players, while Quang Tinh is already in his twilight years.

The only bright spot for the Nghe An team is Van Duc, a player who can create, score and disrupt. It seems that in preparation for this match, coach Truong Viet Hoang has used Duong Van Hao to block this attack. Midfielder Trong Hoang will most likely be on the bench for this match.

Refreshing attack ideas

This will likely be the starting lineup of the away team. Photo: Viettel Club

The thing that gives SLNA the biggest headache is that they are in 9th place, in dire need of points, but the Nghe An team's attack is running out of attacking ideas. The complete dependence on Van Duc has made it easy for the opponent to deal with and closely mark this number 20. In the hands of SLNA's coaching board, there is no individual who can fight independently, who can make a breakthrough against the defense commanded by Que Ngoc Hai. Falling back to defend is not a good solution for the Vinh team, which is not good at aerial combat, its ability to withstand strong impacts has decreased after many rounds without a win, and its mentality is quite heavy.

Although they need points, the Nghe An team still has to be careful with the deadly passes of Que Ngoc Hai, a player who knows SLNA very well. Bruno is a striker who can sweep the field and has extremely annoying long-range shots. The home team's biggest hope is a breakthrough from assistant coach Huy Hoang, who is in charge for the second time.

Without innovation, SLNA in its current state will find it difficult to score. To get 3 points right at home, sometimes the coaching staff and players from Nghe An need to be a bit bold. That hope rests on the shoulders of the once famous central defender of Vietnamese football, Coach Huy Hoang.

An Thanh