What does SLNA need to do to escape?

Thanh Hung• July 26, 2020 19:31

(Baonghean.vn) - After 11 rounds, the Nghe An team is struggling in the bottom half of the rankings in phase 1 of V.League 2020. If they do not quickly return to the winning track, SLNA will face an extremely bleak future.

Towards the end of the first phase of V.League 2020, Coach Ngo Quang Truong's students revealed more and more shortcomings in both playing style and competitive mentality. The departure of Tran Dinh Hoang, Ho Khac Ngoc, Vo Ngoc Toan and the injuries of Pham Xuan Manh, Hoang Van Khanh, Cao Xuan Thang, Tran Dinh Dong have seriously reduced SLNA's strength.
The reason why the Vinh team had some impressive matches at the beginning of the season was because the opponents had not discovered the "weak points" in the playing style of coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team. However, since the 1-0 victory over Hanoi FC in round 5, the Nghe An team has become the "center of attention" of the entire tournament. Immediately, SLNA had to "show its true form" as an incomplete machine.

Tân binh Felipe Martins chưa đáp ứng được sự kỳ vọng của các cổ động viên SLNA. Ảnh tư liệu Hải Hoàng

Rookie Felipe Martins has not met the expectations of SLNA fans. Photo courtesy of Hai Hoang

Despite their best efforts, Phan Van Duc and his teammates have continued to receive disappointing results. The recent 6-match winless streak (5 losses, 1 draw) is clear evidence. It is not an exaggeration to say that SLNA is one of the "point stores" of many teams in V.League 2020. Even opponents with poor performance like Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh, Quang Nam have defeated SLNA.

Therefore, the most important task at the moment for the Nghe An team is none other than to quickly strengthen their squad. The two additions of Felipe Martins and Le Van Hung are not enough for coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team to overcome the difficulties that await them ahead. Especially typical opponents such as Quang Nam and Hai Phong have all made necessary additions, with the appearance of Rodrigo and Hoang Vissai at Tam Ky Stadium and Diego Fagan, Mac Hong Quan and Nghiem Xuan Tu at Lach Tray Stadium.

HLV Ngô Quang Trường phải tìm ra cách để giúp lối chơi của SLNA đa dạng, sắc sảo hơn. Ảnh: Xuân Thủy

Coach Ngo Quang Truong must find a way to help SLNA's playing style become more diverse and sharp. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Besides the personnel issue, the Nghe An team also needs to change their playing style. Coach Pham Minh Duc of Hong Linh Ha Tinh once said: "Speaking of SLNA, in the friendly match at the beginning of the season, we played a friendly match with them. From there, I learned about SLNA's tactics. Indeed, until the 9th round, SLNA still played like that. Meanwhile, Hong Linh Ha Tinh always changed their playing style to suit each specific situation."

The comment of the strategist from Hanoi is completely correct. It seems that SLNA's coaching staff only uses one "play" against every opponent. Even the starting lineup and substitutions are stereotyped. Without having to study carefully, the opposing coaching staff already knows what lineup and playing style SLNA will use.
Therefore, if coach Ngo Quang Truong and his colleagues do not help SLNA's playing style to be less monotonous and ineffective, the Nghe An team will be easily predicted and exploited by opponents. "Without flour, there is no glue", in order to diversify the playing style, the SLNA coaching staff must have more talented and experienced players.