SLNA: The opportunity has fallen to Nguyen Sy Nam!

In the last two seasons, the player from Anh Son has rarely been used by coach Nguyen Duc Thang. Unable to compete for a position with Tran Dinh Hoang, Nguyen Sy Nam has often been warming the bench. The total time the former Ho Chi Minh City FC defender spent on the field in V.League 2018 and V.League 2019 was 234 minutes and 180 minutes respectively. This is understandable, as Tran Dinh Hoang's position in the SLNA squad over the past two seasons has been "untouchable".

At this time, Hoang "me" had left Vinh Stadium to join SHB Da Nang, opening up opportunities for Nguyen Sy Nam. Before returning to his hometown team, the player born in 1993 had played for Ho Chi Minh City FC in the second half of the 2016 National First Division League. Nguyen Sy Nam was the first-choice right-back for coach Lu Dinh Tuan (the head coach of Ho Chi Minh City FC at that time). Thanks to his impressive performances for the team at Thong Nhat Stadium, Nguyen Sy Nam was retained by SLNA and has played for them ever since.

Tran Dinh Hoang has parted ways with SLNA after 17 years of dedication. (Photo: Archival image)

By offering the player from Anh Son a three-year contract (signed at the end of 2018), the SLNA management saw Nguyen Sy Nam as the player who would replace Tran Dinh Hoang in the near future. Objectively speaking, the former Vietnam U19 national team player (2012) is capable of filling the void left by Hoang if given the opportunity by the SLNA coaching staff. The only thing Nguyen Sy Nam lacks is confidence, after a long period of watching his teammates play from the sidelines.

However, gaining the trust of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his staff is no easy goal for the player from Anh Son. Currently at SLNA, there are quite a few players who have previously played the right-back position when Tran Dinh Hoang was absent. Typical examples include Pham Xuan Manh, Pham The Nhat, and Ho Sy Sam. Considering many aspects, Manh “Kalou” has the most advantages. But it is very likely that the player from Yen Thanh will continue to play as a right winger, just like this season.

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

If Pham Xuan Manh returns to midfield, the competition for the right-back position will be a direct battle between Nguyen Sy Nam, Pham The Nhat, Ho Sy Sam, and several players promoted from the youth team. Unlike Nguyen Sy Nam, a true right-back, Pham The Nhat's forte is playing as a center-back, and Ho Sy Sam's familiar position is central midfielder. It's worth remembering that both Ho Sy Sam and Pham The Nhat have previously played unsuccessfully as makeshift right-backs.

Therefore, the SLNA coaching staff would not dare risk assigning the right-back position to Pham The Nhat, Ho Sy Sam, or a young player with limited experience. This shows that Tran Dinh Hoang's departure from Vinh Stadium only gives Nguyen Sy Nam more opportunities to become the first-choice right-back for the Nghe An team; whether he succeeds depends on his efforts in training and in upcoming matches.

The flag is in your hands, go for it, Nguyen Sy Nam!