SLNA vs. Can Tho: A clash of underdogs

(Baonghean.vn) - The clash at Vinh Stadium on Saturday afternoon, January 14th, is an opportunity for both the Nghe An team and the team from Can Tho to seek victory after a disappointing start.

Returning after a 0-2 defeat in the North Central Vietnam derby against FLC Thanh Hoa, the SLNA players had no choice but to win against their "fellow sufferers" XSKT Can Tho. A victory, even a convincing one, was necessary to hope for sympathy from the home fans after the lackluster and lifeless performance displayed by coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team on the Thanh Hoa pitch.

In their recent away match in Thanh Hoa, SLNA's inferior strength and weak fighting spirit were the main reasons for their convincing defeat against the home team. In terms of actual performance on the field, SLNA is still far behind FLC Thanh Hoa in terms of quality. Objectively speaking, this season the Nghe An team will continue to aim for relegation avoidance, rather than hoping to secure a top position in the league table.

The mandatory task for the SLNA players (in red shirts) is to secure 3 points. Photo: Trung Kien.

It seems that the SLNA coaching staff hasn't prepared optimally for the new season. The foreign players haven't fully integrated, and the domestic players haven't yet overcome their inertia after the friendly matches, leading to lack of fluidity and precision in their group coordination, which is easily broken down. What Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's players need right now is to face the weakest opponent possible. Fortunately for SLNA, in the second round they will play at home against the less-fancied XSKT Can Tho. This is a favorable condition for the Vinh-based team to overcome the shortcomings exposed in their match against FLC Thanh Hoa.

On the other side of the battlefield, Coach Vu Quang Bao's team traveled to Vinh with less than ideal morale. In their opening match, XSKT Can Tho suffered a defeat against Long An after taking an early lead. However, defensive errors led to the team's loss. From defense to attack, XSKT Can Tho showed many inconsistencies. If Coach Vu Quang Bao's players showed such carelessness against an equally matched opponent like Long An, it will be difficult for them to hold their ground against stronger teams.

The decline of XSKT Can Tho did not surprise many. Entering this season, the team from the Mekong Delta faced financial difficulties. Individual sponsors were no longer committed to the team, and the main sponsor, XSKT Can Tho company, also encountered business difficulties, forcing the club into a tight budget. As a result, key players like Oseni, Patiyo, Dinh Hoang Max, Dinh Tien Thanh, and Le The Cuong left to seek other clubs. Coach Vu Quang Bao now has mostly players who are not truly outstanding.

That's not to say that Coach Vu Quang Bao and his team are heading to Vinh Stadium with a defeatist attitude. XSKT Can Tho themselves know that SLNA is currently facing countless difficulties, just like them, so the chances of the team from the Western region getting any points are actually small.

Can Tho Lottery Company is no longer as highly regarded as it was last season. Photo: Internet.

Considering the head-to-head record between the two teams in their last four matches, the advantage leans towards the team led by coach Vu Quang Bao with two wins, one draw, and only one loss. In Round 2 of the V. League 2016, SLNA and XSKT Can Tho also faced each other at the Can Tho team's home ground, resulting in Nguyen Manh and his teammates suffering a 2-0 defeat. This provides a basis for XSKT Can Tho to be more confident in their upcoming away match against SLNA, which is predicted to be a tough one.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team see XSKT Can Tho as a lifeline, and the team from the Mekong Delta region thinks the same way about SLNA. A draw wouldn't bring joy to either team, but even a win wouldn't be a momentary glimmer of hope, as they face numerous challenges ahead.

Le Thanh Hung