Identify SLNA's opponents in round 3 of V.League 2021
(Baonghean.vn) - After 1 home match and 1 away match, Song Lam Nghe An will compete with Saigon FC in round 3 of V.League 2021. The upcoming match at Thong Nhat Stadium will continue to be another challenge for coach Quang Truong and his team.
In the 2020 season, Saigon FC was a phenomenon of V.League when it was continuously in the championship group with an effective playing style and a very strong attack with foreign players such as Ahn Byung-keon, Geovane, Pedro Paulo or domestic players such as Ngoc Duy, Quoc Long.
On the thresholdV.League 2021, Saigon FC unexpectedly said goodbye to 19 players and only kept 9. They recruited about 18 players, including foreign players. Among them, there are 5 foreign players: Ryutato Karube, Daisuke Matsui, Hiroyuki Takasaki (Japan), Woo Sang Ho (Korea), Thiago Melo (Brazil) and naturalized striker Do Merlo.
It can be seen that coach Vu Tien Thanh's team brought in not-so-outstanding domestic players, most of whom were players from the First Division or mid-level in the V.League. The Japanese players who arrived in Saigon or even Do Merlo are all on the other side of their careers due to old age.
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| Saigon FC (blue shirt) just lost 0-1 to newcomer Binh Dinh in round 2. Photo: BTC |
With such people, Coach Vu Tien Thanh prioritizes using a framework including goalkeeper Van Phong. Defenders Thiago, Cong Thanh, Van Ngo, Manh Cuong. Midfielders Matsui, Tan Tai, Hoai An, Van Trien and the pair of strikers Woo Sang Ho, Do Merlo.
In the friendly tournament before the new season, Saigon FC defeated Hanoi 3-1, drew with Ho Chi Minh City FC 0-0, drew with Nam Dinh 1-1 and drew with SHB Da Nang.
In the opening match of V.League 2021 against HAGL at Thong Nhat Stadium, Saigon FC had a lucky victory over the visiting team HAGL. Coach Vu Tien Thanh and his team did not play as well as their opponents, did not have many opportunities, but just one situation of Do Merlo winning the ball was enough to bring home 3 points.
In round 2, Saigon FC met rookie Binh Dinh at Nha Trang Stadium and this time their true strength was somewhat revealed. The team with too many disruptions compared to last season received a 0-1 defeat right on the away field.
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| Do Merlo is still Saigon's most dangerous player even though he has turned 36. Photo: BTC |
Obviously, Saigon Club is no longer a force and the position of the team that won the bronze medal at theV.League 2020Although they have to play away, this is a great opportunity for the Nghe An team to seek their first victory of this year's season.
Although in the past against Saigon FC, SLNA had 3 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses, but at Thong Nhat Stadium against this team, SLNA has never won 3 full points. That is a story of the past.
The biggest disadvantage of the Nghe An team is the absence of central defender Hoang Van Khanh. However, coach Ngo Quang Truong's team will have a combination of the three best foreign players: Igor Jelic, Peter Samuel andBruno Henrique.
Saigon FC with an average age of 26.4 plays at home butSLNAhas youth (average 24.9) and the breakthrough comes from Phan Van Duc. One of the players who can make a difference in every match.
V.LEAGUE 2021 ROUND 3 MATCH SCHEDULE
January 29:
17:00 - Da Nang vs Ha Tinh
January 30:
17:00 - Thanh Hoa vs Nam Dinh
18:00 - Hai Phong vs Hanoi FC
19:15 - Saigon vs SLNA
January 31:
17:00 - HAGL vs Binh Dinh
18:00 - Quang Ninh vs HCMC
19:15 - Viettel vs Binh Duong
Round 2 V.League 2021: Order turned upside down
(Baonghean.vn) – Compared to the first round, round 2 of V.League 2021 also ended with surprises. This was a disappointing round for the championship candidates. Meanwhile, Hai Phong Club of coach Pham Anh Tuan unexpectedly rose to the top.