Song Lam Nghe An: A match beyond expectations

The North Central derby between Dong A Thanh Hoa and Song Lam Nghe An showed that quite clearly through 90 minutes of tight, open play and a goalless score (0-0) that could not satisfy both teams as well as the large number of fans.

Dong A Thanh Hoa - SLNA launched an attack with high-speed attacks. Photo courtesy of Xuan Thuy

After an unsatisfactory first round at home and especially after the opponent's away win in the opening match, Huy Hoang and the Song Lam Nghe An Coaching Board adjusted the tactical formation from the familiar 4-4-2 to 5-3-2 with a tight defense-quick counterattack trend, with the presence of Thai Ba Sang playing right center back, Ngoc Hai playing left and Vytas center, 2 backs Dinh Hoang right and Sy Hoang left, 3 midfielders Trong Hoang, Xuan Manh and Nam Hai, 2 strikers still Olaha and Kandolo.

There are some interesting details, it should be said that Van Cuong and Manh Quynh did not play really well in the first match, they were replaced by Ba Sang and Sy Hoang when "applying" the new formation and this new duo played quite well. And this lineup faced off, meeting two familiar old players on the opponent's side in defense, center back Gustavo who had previously played for the Vinh home team, and left back Sy Nam, who was trained, matured, and played for the Song Lam Nghe An first team a few seasons ago. Meeting his hometown team again, Sy Nam seemed to be mentally affected, playing poorly compared to the opening match winning away at Khanh Hoa.

The mobility and connection between the lines of the away team made it impossible for the home team to deploy their attacks coherently, and even often passed the ball wrongly because they were surrounded and suppressed from afar. Meanwhile, if they were lucky, Ngoc Hai and Xuan Manh could have coordinated to score a goal right in the middle of the first half if the home team's goalkeeper Thanh Diep had not stretched out to the maximum to push the ball away for a corner kick. And also thanks to the reasonable arrangement and operation of the squad, Ngoc Hai intervened promptly, not allowing the home team's striker Bruno to comfortably head the ball right in front of Van Tien's goal from a very intentional and precise cross from the left wing.

The tug-of-war, tit-for-tat situation lasted from the beginning to the end of the match, reflected in the collisions and fouls of both sides, so the referee had to issue many yellow cards, which was inevitable. Trong Hung of the home team had a hard time stopping the veteran Trong Hoang in every move. Both Gustavo of the home team and Vytas of the away team received cards, stemming from the determination of both sides, from accepting penalties to avoid dangerous, constant counter-attacks.

The match showed that Song Lam Nghe An had learned their lesson after the opening match, the foreign players gradually played better like Vytas and especially Kandolo who was very close to scoring after his unfortunate header missed the post in the first half. Ngoc Hai played calmly, successfully blocking the explosive Bruno which was very commendable, not to mention that this central defender was often mobile, looking for the ball, passing long balls to create pressure on the opponent.

Should Ngoc Hai be encouraged to play a powerful defensive-attacking style, launching high-damage passes like he did in the Vietnam National Team, and should refer to the playing style of Thai player Theerathon to prove his true class in the domestic and international arena. Song Lam Nghe An can also rest assured with the strong and experienced return of Trong Hoang, the youth of Nam Hai, Xuan Tien... But if Trong Hoang continues to plow through 90 minutes of each match like recently, is it a "good strategy" or is it something that should be considered and promptly remedied?

All predictions and worries before the match in round 2 of Huy Hoang and his team turned out to be a match full of hope and relief. A match beyond expectations and a draw considered a win, the belief in victory for the upcoming matches will "get into gear"./.

Bui Hoa