SLNA: The decline of the Vo brothers

Vo Ngoc Toan and the obsession with injuries

Joining SLNA's training center in 2008, Vo Ngoc Toan has gone through the youth teams (U15, U17, U19, U21) and has proven his talent. In preparation for the 2015 season, the player from Quynh Luu was promoted to the first team by coach Ngo Quang Truong (head coach of SLNA in the 2015 and 2016 seasons). At that time, the central midfield pair of the Nghe An team belonged to Nguyen Quang Tinh and Ngo Hoang Thinh. Therefore, it is not surprising that Vo Ngoc Toan only occasionally got to put on his shoes.

Throughout the past time, Vo Ngoc Toan has been tormented by injuries. Photo: Archive

According to statistics, in V.League 2015, the player born in 1994 played a total of 15 matches. Of which, 10 times appeared in the starting lineup and 5 times came on as a substitute. The shot that scored against B.Binh Duong in the 14th round at Go Dau Stadium was Vo Ngoc Toan's first goal in the V.League arena in the Nghe An team's jersey. Objectively speaking, playing 15 matches and scoring 1 goal is not a bad result for a new player in V.League like Vo Ngoc Toan.

Entering the 2016 season, the duo Nguyen Quang Tinh - Ngo Hoang Thinh said goodbye to SLNA to move to XSKT Can Tho and FLC Thanh Hoa. Opportunities came to Vo Ngoc Toan, Ho Khac Ngoc, Ho Sy Sam... Thanks to impressive performances in the previous season, Vo Ngoc Toan received the trust of coach Ngo Quang Truong and his colleagues. Evidence shows that, in the V.League alone, the midfielder born in 1994 played a total of 23 matches, equivalent to 1536 minutes. This is a worthy reward for Vo Ngoc Toan, after his tireless efforts.

It seemed that the career of the player wearing the number 9 shirt would reach new heights, but then incidents happened. A series of consecutive injuries tormented the 24-year-old midfielder. In the 2017 season, Vo Ngoc Toan spent more time recovering from injuries than playing. The player from Quynh Luu only appeared in the starting lineup of SLNA 11 times, and did not leave any special impression except for the goal scored against Hanoi FC in the 17th round. It can be said that 2017 was a year to forget for Vo Ngoc Toan.

Things continue to be not very bright for the midfielder born in 1994. Not long after the 2018 season started, Vo Ngoc Toan suffered a serious injury, missing many matches of SLNA in V.League, AFC Cup and National Cup. Besides the cause of injury is the "return" of senior Hoang Van Binh, making Vo Ngoc Toan rarely used by SLNA's coaching staff. Up to this point, Vo Ngoc Toan has only had 7 appearances in the V.League arena (starting 4 matches).

Vo Ngoc Duc - unable to compete for position

Joining SLNA at the same time as Vo Ngoc Toan, Vo Ngoc Duc was promoted to the first team one year earlier than his cousin. Right in the first season - the 2014 season, the left-back of SLNA caused many surprises for experts and fans of Nghe An. In the early stages of V.League 2014, Vo Ngoc Duc rarely got to play, due to the stable performance of left-back Tran Dinh Dong. The familiar position of the player from Quynh Luu was on the bench.

A major turning point has occurred. In the match between SLNA and HV An Giang in round 7 on February 26 at Vinh Stadium, Tran Dinh Dong made a dangerous tackle that caused defender Nguyen Anh Hung of the away team to break his shin bone. The VFF Disciplinary Board decided to suspend Tran Dinh Dong until the end of the 2014 season, along with a fine of up to 20 million VND. The penalty of the VFF Disciplinary Board has put SLNA in a situation of losing its force.

With no other choice, the coaching staff of the Nghe An team had to use a young, inexperienced player - Vo Ngoc Duc to replace the position that Tran Dinh Dong had just left. Responding to the trust of coach Nguyen Huu Thang, the defender born in 1994 played excellently. Not only did he complete his defensive duties well, Vo Ngoc Duc also actively participated in the attack. Vo Ngoc Duc's sideline climbing helped SLNA's attacking tactics become more diverse and dangerous.

Vo Ngoc Duc (left) can no longer hold an official position in the SLNA squad. Photo: Archive

At the end of V.League 2014, the player from Quynh Luu had 10 starting matches for SLNA and scored 1 goal (in the match against Than Quang Ninh). Vo Ngoc Duc's impressive performances in the Vinh home team's shirt caught the attention of Coach Miura. Immediately, the Japanese strategist called Vo Ngoc Duc up to the Vietnam Olympic team to prepare for the 17th ASIAD. Unfortunately, SLNA's left-back could not win a ticket to participate in the tournament held in Korea.

In the past 3 seasons (2015 - 2017), Vo Ngoc Duc has not been able to maintain a stable performance and has lost his position to other teammates. Specifically, in V.League 2015, 2016 and 2017, the number of matches played by the 24-year-old defender was 9, 18 and 14 respectively. In this year's season, the player wearing the number 2 shirt has not been frequently trusted by SLNA's coaching staff.

With Pham Xuan Manh injured and Pham Manh Hung making frequent mistakes, the opportunity to return to SLNA's starting lineup has come to Vo Ngoc Duc. Hopefully, the defender born in 1994 will prove his ability in the upcoming matches.

Perhaps, the remaining matches of the Nghe An team this season are just a small opportunity for the Vo brothers to find themselves again./.