Saigon FC - SLNA: Holding each other at the bottom of the table
(Baonghean.vn) - The match between Saigon FC and SLNA in round 12 of V.League 2018 is very noteworthy, as the two teams are struggling in the bottom half of the rankings.
The owner is in danger.
Entering this year's season, Saigon FC's upper echelons have undergone major changes. First was the departure of Chairman Nguyen Giang Dong, who gave way to Mr. Tran Tien Dai. Not long after that, Saigon FC fans received another piece of bad news when Coach Nguyen Duc Thang suddenly announced his resignation. Losing the duo Nguyen Giang Dong - Nguyen Duc Thang, Saigon FC fell into a situation similar to "a snake without a head".
Therefore, the preparation process for the new season of the Thong Nhat Stadium team has not been smooth. The "loyalists" who helped Saigon FC fly high in V.League 2017 (ranked 5th) such as Ngan Van Dai, Tran Dinh Trong, Do Van Thuan, Cruz, Marcelo are no longer with the team.
The duo Tran Dinh Trong - Ngan Van Dai transferred to play for Hanoi FC, Do Van Thuan joined Ho Chi Minh City Club, and the foreign striker pair Cruz - Marcelo were liquidated.
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| Coach Phan Van Tai Em is still inexperienced on the coaching bench. Photo: Internet |
With a weak and under-strength squad led by an inexperienced coach like Phan Van Tai Em, Saigon FC's disappointing performance is not surprising. Gaining 7 points after 11 rounds is not a bad achievement, if based on the strength of coach Phan Van Tai Em and his team.
What Saigon FC has done in the past (winning 3-1 against HAGL, drawing 1-1 with Hanoi FC) has made experts and fans admire them.
Before entering the “life-or-death” match with SLNA, Saigon FC received a very important “doping dose”. Former Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation - Duong Nghiep Khoi officially took the position of Club President, replacing Mr. Tran Tien Dai.
The appearance of Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi, who understands Vietnamese football down to every “hair and strand”, will help coach Phan Van Tai Em and his team overcome the upcoming difficulties. The first match is the match against SLNA in round 12, taking place on June 9 at Thong Nhat Stadium.
Difficult guests
On the other side of the front line, the Nghe An team is not doing much better. Currently on the rankings, SLNA is only 1 point ahead of Saigon FC and is 1 place higher. That achievement is not commensurate with the strength and efforts of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team.
Despite being plagued by injuries (Tran Nguyen Manh, Osmar, Le The Cuong...), SLNA still had impressive performances. Unfortunately, due to referees' mistakes and the turn away of the goddess of luck, the number of points Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates earned stopped at 8.
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| Phan Van Duc (yellow shirt) cannot play due to injury. Photo: Archive |
It seems that bad luck has not let go of the Nghe An team. In the match between SHB Da Nang and SLNA (2-2) that took place on June 3, star Phan Van Duc suffered a serious injury.
According to information from the medical team, the U23 Vietnam player will have to rest for at least 10 days. At this time, Phan Van Duc is the main striker of SLNA with 5 goals in V.League 2018. Losing Duc "tiger", the Nghe An team not only lost a sharp striker, but also lost a dangerous drill in the attack.
In a situation of serious loss of force, having to play away against a team thirsty for points like Saigon FC, SLNA's already difficult situation now becomes even more difficult. From force, form to head-to-head record, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team are not better than their opponents.
Having to play at Thong Nhat Stadium is also a big disadvantage for SLNA. Don't forget, in the 2 away matches against Saigon FC, the Nghe An team returned empty-handed (lost 0-1 in V.League 2016 and lost 1-3 in V.League 2017).
It seems that in this match, the away team's chance of winning is not high. Considering all aspects, a draw is likely to happen, although neither Saigon FC nor SLNA want it./.
