Should SLNA recruit Au Van Hoan?

Immediately after the 2018 season ended, the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City Club raised the issue of extending the contract with Au Van Hoan, but the negotiation process did not go smoothly (related to the signing fee).

Finally, the former SLNA defender decided to leave Thong Nhat Stadium to find a new destination. Up to now, Au Van Hoan has not decided which team to join. It is said that Hoan “cut”’s top priority is his hometown team - SLNA.

First of all, it must be affirmed that Au Van Hoan is one of the best full-backs in Vietnamese football in the past 10 years. Whether playing for SLNA, B.Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City Club or the Vietnam National Team, the player nicknamed Hoan “cut” always proves his class.

The 29-year-old defender has always been the number 1 choice for the right-back position at his home teams. Last season, Au Van Hoan played a total of 25 matches for Ho Chi Minh City Club in all competitions.

Au Van Hoan in the Vietnam National Team jersey. Photo: Internet

In terms of talent and experience, the defender born in 1989 is a great addition to the Nghe An team. Possessing a strong physical foundation, a fierce but equally sharp playing style, Au Van Hoan is like a machine on the right wing.

Hoan "cut" is not only excellent in defense, but also supports the attack very well, with his high-speed climbing and penetration into the penalty area.

However, the chance for SLNA to reunite with Au Van Hoan is not big, if not almost impossible. Because, to bring the former B.Binh Duong player to Vinh Stadium, the Nghe An team must pay a large signing bonus, something that a financially strong team like Ho Chi Minh City Club cannot meet.

Remember, SLNA still does not know who their sponsor is for the new season, and they have just retained a series of players whose contracts have expired such as Nguyen Sy Nam, Cao Xuan Thang, Ho Sy Sam, Pham The Nhat. For now, SLNA's priority is to extend the contract with goalkeeper and captain Tran Nguyen Manh.

Au Van Hoan when he was playing for SLNA. Photo: Internet

At the moment at SLNA, the right-back position is held by the duo Tran Dinh Hoang - Nguyen Sy Nam. Besides, there is also Pham Xuan Manh - who has played impressively as a right-back in the U23 Vietnam team recently.

If recruiting Au Van Hoan, SLNA will fall into a "crisis of surplus" in the right-back position. The decision to keep Nguyen Sy Nam at Vinh Stadium for another 3 years means that SLNA's leadership has no intention of reuniting with "old man" Au Van Hoan.

Many Nghe An fans will feel regretful for not being able to see Hoan “cut” wearing the SLNA shirt again. But it would be even more regrettable if they had to see one of the two players, Au Van Hoan and Tran Dinh Hoang, often appearing on the bench of their team.

Perhaps, the prospect of Au Van Hoan returning to wear the SLNA shirt will not happen, at least in the 2019 season./.