Song Lam Nghe An - Than Quang Ninh: Gustavo Santos' 'Homecoming Day'

Before the 2020 season, Gustavo Santos was given a 1-year contract by the Board of Directors of Song Lam Nghe An (SLNA). The task of the player born in 1995 is nothing more than to help the defense.SLNAhave certainty, after foreign defender Memovic joined the teamHAGL.

At Vinh Stadium, Gustavo Santos did not take much time to integrate and prove his ability in the new team. In SLNA's achievement of not conceding any goals in the first 5 rounds of V.League 2020, there is no small contribution from former center-back Gustavo Santos.

However, Gustavo Santos' performance in the rest of last season was not maintained at a high and stable level. At the end of the first phase of V.League 2020, the Nghe An team did not make it into the TOP 8 and had to fall into the relegation group in the second phase.

Gustavo Santos in SLNA shirt. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Although he did not complete his defensive duties excellently, Gustavo Santos also showed his dangerousness in participating in attacks, especially in aerial combat (1m95 tall). The 2 goals against Ho Chi Minh City and Thanh Hoa are clear proof. Overall, in SLNA's shirt, Gustavo Santos played at a fair level.

At the end of last season, Gustavo Santos said goodbye to SLNA to join Than Quang Ninh. Currently, the Brazilian center-back is in quite impressive form. Up to this point, after the first 3 rounds of V.League 2021, the team from the Mining land has only conceded 1 goal. Don't forget, Than Quang Ninh's defense no longer has the services of goalkeeper Huynh Tuan Linh, center-back Duong Thanh Hao...

In the 2-0 victory ofQuang Ninh CoalAgainst TP. HCM in the last round, Gustavo Santos, along with goalkeeper Nguyen Hoai Anh, center back Doan Anh Viet... continuously discouraged the strikers of the away team. The "silence" of famous stars such as: Lee Nguyen, Junior Barros, J.Paulo or Dario da Silva, was enough to show how excellent a match Gustavo Santos and his teammates in defense played.

Gustavo Santos (number 95) is in good form for Than Quang Ninh. Photo: VPF

Certainly, Gustavo Santos will still bring that excellent form when he returns to Vinh Stadium. In addition, his understanding of his old team also makes Gustavo Santos more dangerous in situations where he joins the attack. Hopefully, the coaching staff and SLNA players have found a way to defeat the "old friend" Gustavo Santos.

The match between SLNA and Than Quang Ninh in round 4V.League 2021will take place at Vinh Stadium, at 5:00 p.m. on March 18./.

Thanh Hung