Sanna Khanh Hoa – SLNA: It's better without Phi Son

(Baonghean.vn) - The Nghe An team will have an away match that is predicted to be "less good, more bad" at Sanna Khanh Hoa's 19/8 stadium, especially when key midfielder Phi Son has to sit out due to suspension.

"Phi Son's absence is a good thing"

The 2-3 loss to Hai Phong last Friday not only ended SLNA's unbeaten streak, stopping at 6 (4 wins, 2 draws), but also prevented their best performing player this season, Phi Son, from joining the team on the trip to the coastal city of Nha Trang because he had received enough yellow cards (3 yellow cards).

The absence of “Ronaldo 37” is a huge loss to the strength of the Nghe An team. Needless to say, everyone understands the importance of Phi Son in SLNA’s playing style.

Despite being SLNA's best performing player, Phi Son had to sit out the away match against Sanna Khanh Hoa. Photo: Trung Kien.

However, with SLNA's current situation, Phi Son's absence is a good thing. The Nghe An team has run out of goals in V.League and only has the National Cup to aim for. The 2 finals with B.Binh Duong are approaching and to win the championship, SLNA depends heavily on Phi Son's health and form.

During the past time, the player born in 1992 had to work hard continuously, the risk of overload and injuries was looming. This was an opportunity for Phi Son to recover his physical strength which had been worn out too much.

Besides, the possibility of Phi Son extending his contract with the Vinh team is still a question mark. With a tight budget, the prospect of SLNA no longer having the services of its brightest star next season is becoming quite clear. Therefore, Phi Son's absence is a condition for SLNA to gradually get used to the lineup without this player.

The away team will find it difficult to score points.

Facing a "tough" opponent like Sanna Khanh Hoa, even with the presence of Phi Son, SLNA will find it difficult to make a difference at 19/8 Stadium. Don't forget, in the 3 times visiting the coastal city of Nha Trang to play as guests at Sanna Khanh Hoa, the Nghe An team has never won. Even in the most recent confrontation between the two teams at Vinh Stadium in round 3 of V.League 2017, SLNA had to accept a 2-2 draw, after taking a 2-0 lead in the first half.

It must be admitted that Sanna Khanh Hoa is SLNA's most formidable opponent since coach Vo Dinh Tan and his team participated in the most prestigious tournament of Vietnamese football (2015). Only once has SLNA won against Sanna Khanh Hoa (1-0 at the 2016 National Cup), the rest were draws (3 matches) and losses (2 matches). In the situation where Phi Son has to stay in Vinh city, the possibility of the Nghe team winning all 3 points is almost 'impossible'. Even to get 1 point leaving the field on August 19 is considered extremely difficult for Nguyen Manh and his teammates.

Not only that, Sanna Khanh Hoa is currently in quite good form. Statistics show that: in the last 4 rounds, Sanna Khanh Hoa has won 8 points (2 wins, 2 draws). Both victories against HAGL (4-2) and SHB Da Nang (3-2), coach Vo Dinh Tan and his team were achieved right on the field 19/8. This proves that the home field is a quite solid support for the team from the coastal city of Nha Trang. Therefore, SLNA will also face great difficulties in this return.

The ball fight between players of the two teams in the first leg match took place at Vinh Stadium. Photo: Archive

One thing worth noting is that unlike previous seasons, Sanna Khanh Hoa often ran out of steam in the final stages. But this year, it seems like things are going in the opposite direction. After a 3-2 victory over SHB Da Nang, the home team at 19/8 is currently in 4th place on the rankings with 37 points and 2 points behind the leading team, Hanoi FC. The opportunity for Sanna Khanh Hoa to win a place in the Top 3 is very open.

To realize that goal, Tuan Manh and his teammates will have to win all 3 points in the reception of SLNA in round 23. All advantages are on Sanna Khanh Hoa's side, victory or not depends only on their playing attitude.

The final result is unknown, but for SLNA and Nghe An fans, Phi Son's rest is more joyful than sad./.

Thanh Hung