SLNA, when will we see the good old days again?

(Baonghean.vn) - SLNA is currently going through a disastrous period with a recurring pattern of draws and losses. Not many spectators came to Vinh Stadium to witness the Nghe An team's heartbreaking defeat against S. Khanh Hoa. But the sadness still lingers, and the people of Nghe An will forever reminisce about those bygone days.

Far from the Top 5

By now, hardly anyone remembers exactly when SLNA first found themselves in 11th place in the 2016 V-League standings, only that it was quite a while ago. Nor do many remember the results of the pre-season training matches, the flattering talk about having "two formidable foreign players," or the "Top 5 target"...

SLNA's key players, such as Que Ngoc Hai, are underperforming.

Those familiar with SLNA are bitter, saying that with the way they're playing now, even getting into the Top 10 seems difficult.

Frankly, if we disregard the 1-2 scoreline, yesterday the SLNA coaching staff showed boldness in their lineup by using the central midfield pairing of Ngoc Hai and Thanh Phong. The use of the striker pair Tuan Tai and Baba would have been praised if Tuan Tai had only succeeded in one of his two good scoring opportunities against goalkeeper Tuan Manh. A more noteworthy change was the "downplaying" of the two "leading players," Phi Son and Nguyen Manh, when they couldn't carry the team.

More broadly, with the current management model and senior management personnel, the peak of success was the 2011 V-League season. That championship was a stroke of luck, with the luckiest element being Technical Director Le Thuy Hai's "bizarre substitution" on the Thanh Hoa pitch, allowing SLNA to turn the tide. The championship, or even a Top 3 finish, is now just a dream for SLNA fans.

With the North Asian sponsor largely disregarding professional matters, the SLNA management is free to buy and sell players, renew contracts, coach, train, and direct on-field operations. The strengths and weaknesses of this model are best known to the fans in Nghe An, and their professional performance speaks for itself.

This isn't just happening in this year's V-League; it will certainly continue. Fans in Nghe An province are also unlikely to be happy knowing that after the defeat, instead of being encouraged and comforted by the coaching staff, the SLNA players dispersed and trudged back to their training camp on foot. This indicates something very wrong with SLNA's organization.

And they successfully avoided relegation.

While Dong Thap has resigned itself to the bottom of the table, many fans believe that securing 13th place and a play-off spot is a three-way battle between SLNA, HAGL, and Long An. There are alarms about the declining form of the Nghe An team, and the upcoming matches against HAGL (round 18 - home) and Long An (round 19 - away) are seen as crucial, do-or-die games. However, those knowledgeable about Vietnamese football don't think so; SLNA is certain to avoid relegation.

In the "three kingdoms" (referring to the three rival teams), Long An stands out significantly, and more broadly, in Vietnamese football, after being relegated from the V-League in 2011 and returning to the V-League in 2013 without any additional "partners" to play against. While SLNA might face some difficulties when playing Long An away, in the following 21st round, coach Ngo Quang Sang's team will have to face Pho Nui (Long An FC).

Furthermore, in round 25, Long An will have to face Hai Phong in their final matches. Sources suggest that SLNA and HAGL will know what they need to do to secure a favorable position before the final rounds.

In terms of personnel, Tài Em is 35 years old, his physical condition has declined, and recurring injuries have left him unable to carry the midfield. Huỳnh Quang Thanh, suffering from a torn posterior horn of the lateral meniscus in his right knee, also cannot contribute much. Long An – an aging "former champion" with a relatively old player base – is slowly approaching the end of the season.

Epilogue

Football in Nghe An province will never progress if sponsors do not exert pressure for performance and impose economic sanctions on officials, coaching staff, and players when targets are not met.

When no one can answer why Lima of Saigon FC, earning only $2,000/month, plays so well, while the "superstar foreign players" Baba and Odat (earning $8,000/month) just sit around doing nothing.

When the 300 million VND bonus for a win (exceptionally, the win against B. Binh Duong received 700 million VND) is no longer attractive to players, and Vinh Stadium is merely a "waiting room" for players' long journeys, one wonders "when will the good old days return?"

When will we return to the good old days? Who will answer the fans' questions?

N@T