Song Lam Nghe An solves the problem without Van Duc

Van Duc scored a double to help Song Lam Nghe An regain 1 point at Thong Nhat Stadium. Photo: Hai Hoang

The soul of the attack line of Song Lam Nghe An

Phan Van Duc joined V.League in 2016. Although he did not play much, this player left a good impression in the eyes of the coaching staff of Song Lam Nghe An. At the same time, he was also the striker who played the most compared to the young players promoted at the same time.

The special thing about Van Duc's playing style is his ability to accelerate in short distances and always possess highly unpredictable moves. That made it very difficult for opponents to predict this midfielder. Therefore, Van Duc contributed to bringing a more varied playing style to Song Lam Nghe An's attack at that time.

Van Duc's contributions to Song Lam Nghe An are undeniable. Photo: Chung Le

However, it was not until the 2017 season that Van Duc truly asserted his worth. The combination of Van Duc, Khac Ngoc, and Olaha created smooth coordination, causing high damage to the opponent's attack. Also in this year, despite playing in the midfielder position, Van Duc contributed greatly to bringing home the National Cup championship for Song Lam Nghe An. In the final match, Van Duc scored 2 goals, helping Song Lam Nghe An win 5-1.

2018 marked the shining of the midfielder from Yen Thanh when he scored 9 goals, thereby helping Song Lam Nghe An finish in 4th place in V.League. The more Van Duc plays, the more he shows that he has a great influence on the Nghe An team. Without the skillful dribbling and continuous footwork like Phi Son, without the fancy passing like Khac Ngoc, but Van Duc always knows how to minimize his handling, to bring efficiency in attacking situations. In addition to playing the role of playmaker, he also always possesses great goals that many strikers dream of.

In the 2022 season, when Song Lam Nghe An only finished in 5th place, Van Duc still left bright spots that satisfied many fans. Through watching V.League 2022, many of Song Lam Nghe An's attacks often had the participation of this midfielder. With a creative playing mindset, always knowing how to strike when necessary, Van Duc contributed important goals for Song Lam Nghe An. In difficult times, Van Duc showed the mettle and qualities of a star. People say, "when needed, Van Duc is there, when difficult, Van Duc is there" in round 21 of V.League 2022, Song Lam Nghe An faced Ho Chi Minh City at Thong Nhat Stadium, the player from Yen Thanh scored 2 goals to bring about a valuable 2-2 draw. In the following match, Van Duc shone again with 2 goals against Binh Duong.

Van Duc always plays with a spirit that helps Song Lam Nghe An score goals. Photo: Chung Le

At the end of the season, Van Duc, although only playing as a midfielder, contributed 7 goals for the Nghe team (the player who scored the most goals for Song Lam Nghe An). In particular, he had 2 goals that were voted by the National Football Championship Organizing Committee as the most beautiful goals of March and July.

Coach Ngo Quang Truong - the teacher who has led Van Duc since the beginning shared: "Van Duc is a star that every team wants to own. He has a smart and modern style of playing football. Especially Van Duc's personality makes him do things that seem impossible. It can be said that Phan Van Duc is the type of player who always knows how to make a difference."

At Song Lam Nghe An, Van Duc is considered one of the players with important contributions. He not only scores and assists but also brings inspiration to his teammates. It can be affirmed that Van Duc is the soul of Song Lam Nghe An's attack.

New plan in Song Lam Nghe An

With the influence that Phan Van Duc brought, Tan Long Group, when taking over Song Lam Nghe An, decided to keep this player with a contract until 2024. However, at the end of the 2022 season, Hanoi Police was promoted and the player born in 1996 decided to try his hand in a new environment.

Van Duc no longer playing for the Nghe An team will be a significant loss. However, a team that wants to be successful cannot rely on just one specific individual. Last season, coach Huy Hoang experimented with many new tactics and ways of playing, with the participation of many young players. This coach often used high-speed, team-oriented attacking combinations, bringing great surprises to the opponent's defense.

Dinh Xuan Tien is one of the promising players of Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Duc Anh

This is a modern style of play that many big clubs are applying. To implement this, in addition to players having good basic techniques, physical strength is a very important factor. Recently, Song Lam Nghe An signed a contract with physical trainer Tiago Jose Almeida Goncalves (Brazilian). With this move, it can be affirmed that the Nghe An club will build a fast-paced style of play, with many collective coordination phases. The team will flexibly change tactics and players, avoiding dependence on a certain star.

Fitness coach Tiago Almeida will contribute to changing Song Lam Nghe An's playing style next season. Photo: Contributor

However, “no flour, no paste”, players like Xuan Manh, Dinh Xuan Tien, Dinh Tien, Manh Quynh or Van Lam all possess quite good individual techniques. This is the condition for coach Huy Hoang to successfully implement this style of play for Song Lam Nghe An in the following seasons.

The head coach of Song Lam Nghe An shared after Van Duc left: "Van Duc is an important player of Song Lam Nghe An. However, when he leaves, we will have other options. In the near future, we will put more trust in promising young faces. Besides, Song Lam Nghe An is also planning to find quality foreign players. I am confident looking forward to the new season."

It can be said that losing Van Duc will bring certain difficulties to the Nghe An team. However, hopefully the philosophy that Song Lam Nghe An is applying will bring positive signals in the new season.

Duc Anh