The players from Nghe An have officially left Saigon.
(Baonghean.vn) - Besides Tran Phi Son's departure from Ho Chi Minh City FC after 3 years of playing, Thong Nhat Stadium has also witnessed a series of players from Nghe An province packing their bags and leaving with no promise of return.
Of the six players from Nghe An province on their roster last season – Tran Phi Son, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Vu Quang Nam, Ngo Hoang Thinh, Sam Ngoc Duc, and Que Ngoc Manh (on loan to Ba Ria Vung Tau) – the "red battleship" only retained three for the 2021 season. Vu Quang Nam, Ngo Hoang Thinh, and Sam Ngoc Duc were the fortunate ones.
Up to this point, only Tran Phi Son andNguyen Cong PhuongThe teams that will play in the new season have been determined. "Vietnamese Ronaldo" returns to his hometown to play for Hong Linh Ha Tinh on a three-year contract, while "Vietnamese Messi" returns to his parent club HAGL to play alongside Luong Xuan Truong, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Van Toan, Vu Van Thanh, and others.
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| Nguyen Cong Phuong (number 21) has returned to his parent club HAGL. Photo: Xuan Thuy |
As some players leave, others arrive. Conversely, Ho Chi Minh City FC has also welcomed new faces, most notably striker Ho Tuan Tai. To secure the signature of the 1995-born forward, the 2019 V.League runner-up had to compete fiercely with SHB Da Nang and Thanh Hoa. Certainly, Ho Chi Minh City FC must have spent a considerable amount of money (signing bonus) and offered substantial compensation (salary and bonuses) for this transfer.
Similarly, the neighborHo Chi Minh City ClubSaigon FC has also said goodbye to many players from Nghe An province. Goalkeeper Tong Duc An, midfielder Nguyen Huu Son, midfielder Ngo Xuan Toan, midfielder Nguyen Ba Duong, and midfielder Tran Van Buu have all confirmed they will not be playing for Saigon FC next season. The only player still under contract with Saigon FC is defender Nguyen Van Ngo.
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| Next season, Saigon FC's squad will have fewer players from Nghe An province. Photo: Saigon Football Club |
Witnessing the massive "migration" out of Saigon of peopleplayer from Nghe AnFootball experts and fans in Vietnam suddenly thought of Binh Duong a few years ago. Once a team that highly valued players from Nghe An (during the 2014-2016 period), in recent years the team from Binh Duong has undergone a "renewal" with homegrown talent (players trained within the club).
Le Cong Vinh, Nguyen Trong Hoang, Hoang Van Binh, Au Van Hoan, Nguyen Xuan Luan... had to leave, making way for Truong Du Dat, Nguyen Anh Tai, Tong Anh Ti, Nguyen Tien Linh... to prove their abilities. In the 2020 season, B.Binh Duong had a total of 3 players from Nghe An: goalkeeper Tran Duc Cuong, midfielder Nguyen Trong Huy, and midfielder Tran Phi Ha (Tran Phi Son's younger brother and often a substitute).
Is Saigon no longer the "promised land" for players from Nghe An?