SLNA wins the Four-Team Tournament Cup after a draw against Hong Linh Ha Tinh.

SLNA fielded a quality lineup including players like Que Ngoc Hai, Phan Van Duc, Pham Xuan Manh... Photo: Xuan Thuy

This was a decisive match for the championship trophy; while the Nghe An club only needed a draw, Hong Linh Ha Tinh had to win to secure first place.

That plan seemed easier for the home team, as SLNA was only missing one key player, central midfielder Ojong Mark, due to injury. Key players like Que Ngoc Hai, Hoang Van Khanh, Pham Xuan Manh, Phan Van Duc… were all in the starting lineup.

Although Olaha didn't score, he played quite well in this match. Photo: Chung Nguyen

In this match, SLNA adopted a different formation compared to the previous two games. Coach Huy Hoang deployed a 4-3-3 formation, with two central midfielders, Nguyen Xuan Binh and Tran Dinh Tien. Van Duc operated as a left-sided forward. With the need to win, Hong Linh Ha Tinh boldly pushed their formation high from the opening minutes. However, with their experienced defensive line, SLNA easily thwarted the visitors' attacks.

The match was quite intense. Photo: Xuan Thuy

Although they didn't attack much, the home team in Vinh had the first clear chance. Olaha made a run down the wing, but his return pass to his teammate lacked power. Therefore, it didn't pose any danger to Duong Quang Tuan's goal.

Hong Linh Ha Tinh immediately responded in the 15th minute of the match. However, Paullo's header, from a relatively comfortable position, was inaccurate.

The pace of the game wasn't pushed too high by either team. Therefore, not many dangerous situations were created towards the goal of either Van Hoang or Quang Tuan.

Van Duc played with great effort but was unable to help SLNA score a goal in this match. Photo: Chung Nguyen

In this tournament, Olaha was an exceptionally brilliant player. In the match against Dong A Thanh Hoa, the striker scored a hat-trick. In that game, Olaha was also quite aggressive and caused many difficulties for the opposing team's defense. His header in the 40th minute forced goalkeeper Quang Tuan to make a difficult save.

Towards the end of the first half, a mistake by center-back Hoang Van Khanh gave Paullo a one-on-one opportunity. However, Van Hoang's excellent save prevented SLNA from conceding a goal.

In the second half, SLNA increased the pace of the game. Coach Huy Hoang's players continuously put pressure on the visitors' half of the field. In the 50th minute, Phan Van Duc skillfully maneuvered to escape the encirclement of the Hong Linh Ha Tinh defense. However, the shot from the midfielder wearing number 20 narrowly missed Quang Tuan's goal.

In this half, Van Duc was frequently moved inwards and played as a box-to-box striker. Coach Huy Hoang wanted to utilize this style of play to maximize the player's long-range shooting ability. In the 60th minute, Phan Van Duc dribbled from midfield and then unleashed a shot from over 30 meters. However, his shot lacked the accuracy to open the scoring.

Dinh Xuan Tien's entry into the game injected a fresh energy into the home team's attacking play. Photo: Chung Nguyen

Hong Linh Ha Tinh responded shortly after. Both Paullo and Van Hiep unleashed two close-range shots, but both were blocked on the goal line by Van Hoang and Xuan Manh. The substitution of Que Ngoc Hai at the start of the second half somewhat affected the home team's defensive play. Hong Linh Ha Tinh continuously threatened SLNA's goal. However, thanks to a brilliant performance from Van Hoang, the Nghe An club did not concede a goal.

In the final minutes of the match, SLNA Club seemed poised to take the lead. A combination between Van Duc and Olaha completely bypassed the visiting team's defense. However, the striker wearing number 10 failed to hit the target with his shot.

SLNA players and coaching staff celebrate winning the championship trophy. Photo: Duc Anh.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw, which was just enough for SLNA to win the Tan Long Cup 2022 Four-Team Football Tournament.