Former SLNA player Au Van Hoan: From 'super defender' to 'super sub'

Before joining the Han River team at the beginning of the 2019 season, the player nicknamed Hoan "cut" always affirmed his position at SLNA, B.Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City Club as a right-back.

The defender born in 1989 was even a member of the U23 Vietnam team and the Vietnam National Team at the 2011 SEA Games, the 2012 AFF Cup and the 2016 AFF Cup.

Au Van Hoan (number 2) when he was playing for SLNA. Photo: TT&VH

Despite his "short and light" appearance, Au Van Hoan is a quick, durable defender who can both attack and defend. It is not easy for opponents to overcome Au Van Hoan, either in a one-on-one situation or in a speed race. In particular, "Limp" Hoan is also a defender who "knows how to score goals". The proof is that in V.League 2013, the player from Hung Nguyen scored 2 goals for the Nghe An team.

Thanks to his impressive and stable performance in SLNA's jersey, at the end of the 2013 season, Au Van Hoan was welcomed by B.Binh Duong to Go Dau Stadium, along with two close friends Nguyen Trong Hoang and Hoang Van Binh. Au Van Hoan's excellence in the right-back position contributed significantly to the noble titles of the team in the period (2014 - 2016). Typically, the 2014 V.League championship.

The right-back position of SLNA currently belongs to Tran Dinh Hoang. Photo: SHB Da Nang Football Club

After 3 years playing for B.Binh Duong, Au Van Hoan decided to leave Go Dau Stadium to join Ho Chi Minh City Club at the beginning of the 2017 season. At Thong Nhat Stadium, the former SLNA player always won the trust of the team's coaching staff, from French coach Alain Fiard to former Vietnam National Team coach Toshiya Miura. During 2 seasons playing for Ho Chi Minh City Club (2017 - 2018), Au Van Hoan played 47 matches, only in the V.League arena.

However, the player from Hung Nguyen was not given a new contract by the Saigon team and had to join SHB Da Nang. When he first arrived at Hoa Xuan Stadium, Au Van Hoan was often used by coach Le Huynh Duc. But when the 2019 season passed about 1/3 of the way, the former U23 Vietnam player became a secondary choice.

With a total of 10 appearances in V.League 2019, Au Van Hoan's contribution to the Han River team is insignificant. It can be seen that the position of the former SLNA, B.Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City Club player is no longer the same as before. Instead of leaving SHB Da Nang to seek new opportunities, Au Van Hoan chose to stay at Hoa Xuan Stadium to compete fairly with teammates playing in the same position.

And now, the familiar position of "mutilated" Hoan is on the bench. According to statistics, Au Van Hoan has only played in 2 matches, after 11 rounds of V.League 2020. It is completely normal that Au Van Hoan cannot compete for a position with young, talented teammates like Tran Dinh Hoang and Vo Nhat Tan. After all, the defender wearing the number 2 shirt is no longer able to maintain his best form.

It is known that at the end of this season, the contract between Au Van Hoan and SHB Da Nang will officially expire. Hopefully in the remaining stages of V.League 2020, "amputated" Hoan will be able to play more./.

Thanh Hung