Song Lam Nghe An with the race to the finish line.
(Baonghean.vn) - With 27 points, ranking 6th in the standings, the Nghe An team has only one remaining goal in V.League 2022: "training the team and refining the coaching staff." Song Lam Nghe An's position is not in a medal race as they declared at the beginning of the season, nor are they in the relegation zone.
This round sees Song Lam Nghe An having a bye, giving owner Tan Long the necessary time to quickly mend relations with Southern fans. Their next opponent is Binh Duong, a team not highly rated. This is a good opportunity for coach Huy Hoang and his players to regain the trust of their supporters. Only a victory in this match can restore the team's early-season image.
Analyzing the game situation
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After the match against Binh Duong, the next three games for coach Huy Hoang's team were not easy. The home teams, Binh Dinh and Hai Phong, were both strong contenders for medals, and their实力 (strength/ability) was superior to that of the Nghe An team. Sitting in the technical box, Duc Thang and Chu Dinh Nghiem were both considered more capable than coach Huy Hoang. Even on the Vinh stadium, the "PSG of Vietnam" had previously defeated the home team Song Lam Nghe An 2-1 with some very effective attacking plays. This was a match where Lynch played exceptionally well upon his return to Vinh, showcasing artistic ball control. The class of coach Duc Thang of Binh Dinh was already proven.
Meanwhile, Rimario of Hai Phong, currently leading the scoring charts, is a major nightmare for V.League defenses. With 17 goals, this striker has double the number of goals scored by the three foreign players of Song Lam Nghe An. His physical style of play, combined with skillful solo runs, is something that Que Ngoc Hai and the Song Lam Nghe An defense often fear. Not to mention Mpande, who, after more than half a season playing as a defender, has already scored 5 goals after returning to the attack. With the trio of Hai Huy, Rimario, and Mpande in top form, the chances of the Nghe An team getting any points at Lach Tray Stadium are not high.
The final match of the 2022 V.League season against Nam Dinh is once again considered unpredictable by experts. Vietnamese football always features matches where teams desperate for points always know how to secure all three. In Round 22 of the 2022 V.League, we witnessed Thanh Hoa, despite their high form, lose 1-2 to Ho Chi Minh City, following three winless matches. Without a clear objective, teams in the relegation zone find it very difficult to play against teams in the bottom three.
Remaining tasks
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Coach Huy Hoang is right to rest foreign players and goalkeeper Van Hoang to give opportunities to young players. Perhaps, owner Tan Long should boldly and publicly declare the goals for the remainder of the season so that fans understand the responsibilities of the coaching staff and players. They can't just remain silent and stick to the top 3 target as they have in the previous rounds. Fans also need to test Huy Hoang's coaching abilities – he has already declared at least three times that he will win a medal in his first V.League coaching stint.
Given Song Lam Nghe An's current strength, achieving a top 6 finish is difficult, even with foreign players. However, finishing only in the top 10 would be considered a complete failure for both sponsor Tan Long and the team. Considering the investment and player quality, Song Lam Nghe An should at least be in the top 7 of V.League 2022. We can't just give young players opportunities to play while neglecting the season's results; young players also need goals to strive for. To achieve this, Song Lam Nghe An needs at least 6-7 points in the next four matches, a feat that will not be easy for Huy Hoang in his first season as head coach.