SLNA: The 'flag' has reached Nguyen Sy Nam!

In the last 2 seasons, the English player Son was rarely used by coach Nguyen Duc Thang. Because he could not compete with Tran Dinh Hoang for a position, Nguyen Sy Nam often had to "wear out his pants" on the bench. The total time on the field of the former Ho Chi Minh City Club defender in V.League 2018 and V.League 2019 was 234 minutes and 180 minutes respectively. This is understandable, because Tran Dinh Hoang's position in the SLNA squad in the last 2 seasons was "untouchable".

At this time, Hoang "me" had left Vinh Stadium to join SHB Da Nang, and opportunities were wide open for Nguyen Sy Nam. Before returning to his hometown team, the player born in 1993 played for Ho Chi Minh City Club in the second leg of the 2016 National First Division. Nguyen Sy Nam was the number 1 choice of Coach Lu Dinh Tuan (captain of Ho Chi Minh City Club at that time) for the right-back position. Thanks to his impressive performances for the Thong Nhat Stadium team, Nguyen Sy Nam was retained by SLNA to play until now.

Tran Dinh Hoang has parted ways with SLNA after 17 years of association. Photo courtesy

By giving the English player Son a 3-year contract (signed at the end of 2018), the SLNA Board of Directors considered Nguyen Sy Nam as the face that will replace Tran Dinh Hoang in the near future. Objectively, the former U19 Vietnam player (2012) is capable of filling the void left by Hoang "me", if given the opportunity by the SLNA Coaching Board. The factor that Nguyen Sy Nam still lacks is confidence, after a long time of having to sit on the sidelines watching his teammates compete.

However, to be appreciated by coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his colleagues is not a simple goal for the player from Anh Son. Currently at SLNA, there are many faces who have taken on the right-back position during the absence of Tran Dinh Hoang. Typical examples are Pham Xuan Manh, Pham The Nhat or Ho Sy Sam. In many aspects, Manh "Kalou" is the one with the most advantages. But most likely, the player from Yen Thanh will continue to play in the right-back position, like in this year's season.

Nguyen Sy Nam is facing a great opportunity to assert himself. Photo: slnafc

In case Pham Xuan Manh returns to the midfield, the competition for the right-back position will be a direct "competition" between Nguyen Sy Nam, Pham The Nhat, Ho Sy Sam and some faces promoted from the youth team. Unlike Nguyen Sy Nam - a true right-back, Pham The Nhat is good at playing in the center-back position and Ho Sy Sam's familiar position is central midfielder. Don't forget, both Ho Sy Sam and Pham The Nhat have played unsuccessfully in the role of "reluctant" right-back.

Therefore, the SLNA coaching staff will not dare to risk giving the right-back position to Pham The Nhat, Ho Sy Sam or a young player without much experience. Through that, it can be seen that Tran Dinh Hoang's departure from Vinh Stadium only helps Nguyen Sy Nam have more opportunities to become the number 1 choice in the right-back position of the Nghe An team, but whether he can take advantage of it successfully or not depends on the efforts of this player on the training ground and in the upcoming matches.

The flag is in your hand, wave it, Nguyen Sy Nam!