What lineup will SLNA field in the V. League 2022?

The figure of 32 registered members is considered appropriate given the ongoing complexity of the Covid-19 pandemic and will help clubs proactively manage their squads, anticipating any unforeseen circumstances to ensure the season concludes as planned.

After a disastrous and forgettable 2021 season, SLNA, with the support of its new sponsor, is striving to do its best, from improving infrastructure to strengthening its squad, aiming to operate the team in a truly professional and modern manner. The announcement of the 32-member squad for the 2022 V. League is a testament to this.SLNAThe initial results show that these efforts, at least in terms of personnel, are comparable to those of the powerful teams that many people have long known.

SLNA Club presents jerseys to players who renew or sign new contracts for the 2022 season. (Photo: Duc Anh)

First of all, four main points stand out in SLNA's early-season squad list: three foreign players, including former player Olaha and a naturalized player – obviously, only those with the potential would dare to use four foreign players; the return of a number of prominent former players such as Ngoc Hai, Trong Hoang, Dinh Hoang…; many noteworthy young players such as Xuan Tien, Manh Quynh…; and the continued trust of key players like Van Khanh, Van Hoang, Van Duc, Xuan Manh….

To be clear, with this squad, SLNA has the ability to challenge powerful teams like HAGL, Hanoi FC, Viettel, or T. Binh Dinh with a lineup combining old and new players, domestic and foreign, with the same fierce fighting spirit as before, and of course, if coach Huy Hoang and his colleagues are truly skilled at operating that dream team?

According to our predictions, unless there are any new improvements, Huy Hoang will use the traditional 4-4-2 formation. In goal, Van Hoang, although a "professional reserve" for the national team, is still a regular starter for his hometown team unless he is injured or suspended. The back four will consist of Ngoc Hai - Truong An (Melo, of Brazilian origin) - Dinh Hoang - Sy Hoang or Ho Van Cuong. The midfield will have the most players, but the most likely starting lineup will be Van Duc - Xuan Manh - Trong Hoang - Van Lam or Dinh Chau. The attack will therefore feature the two foreign players Olaha and Basit.

SLNA is actively preparing ahead of the new season. (Photo: Duc Anh)

If Huy Hoang were to boldly change the formation like the Vietnamese national team, he could use a three-man central defense consisting of Ngoc Hai, Van Khanh, and Truong An, and two attacking full-backs like Dinh Hoang, Trong Hoang, or Xuan Manh? Van Duc, as usual, would stick to the left wing and act as a direct link with Olaha in the attack, primarily focusing on scoring goals and, when necessary, dropping deep to defend and wait for opportunities to switch tactics, as he does for the national team?

Of course, the above predictions are theoretical and assume everything goes smoothly for SLNA. Currently, there is some unclear information regarding several key players, for example, there is no information on whether Trong Hoang has fully recovered from his injury and is truly back stronger than before? After a long period of playing at full capacity for the Vietnamese national team, no one can be sure whether key players like Ngoc Hai, Van Duc, and Xuan Manh are 100% ready to serve their hometown team or still need a break to regain the necessary strength and motivation?

Young players like Xuan Tien, Van Cuong, and Manh Quynh, who are currently training with the Vietnam U23 team, may not be able to join the squad in time if needed. Meanwhile, will Sy Hoang and Van Viet, who previously performed poorly with the Vietnam U23 team, have regained their form? Not to mention the foreign players, except for Olaha, who is familiar to the team and didn't really impress during pre-tournament training. It's not easy to say when the V. League 2022 season will clearly test their capabilities and reveal their true potential.

Michaela Olaha has joined Song Lam Nghe An FC for the second time. (Photo: SLNA archives)

And most importantly, in his first time managing a team in the V. League (not counting one interim match last season), will Huy Hoang be able to compete with the talented players like Kiatisuk, Park Choong Kyun, Phan Thanh Hung, and Viet Hoang? Last season, under Kiatisuk's guidance, HAGL's star players performed exceptionally well, and this season the team from the mountain town continues to strengthen its squad, certainly not just to play for fun and avoid relegation like in previous seasons? Kiatisuk himself commented on their opponent SLNA when predicting their potential to win the championship, but let's not forget, predictions are always just predictions, and praising an opponent before the match is always a clever tactic of people like Kiatisuk.

With SLNA's current head coach, fans are always "believing and worrying," and only the reality on the field will prove whether everything is under control. Hopefully, the authority of the former captain will be elevated to a new level, translating into effectiveness in training, the locker room, and unpredictable changes in each upcoming match. Nothing is easy, and without new talent and youth, without mistakes, how can there be experience and success? Kiatisuk, Thanh Hung, or anyone else, all have to pay the price for their initial inexperience, don't they?

Phu Chau