SLNA vs. Khánh Hòa: Will they easily defeat their 'nemesis' and claim all three points?

(Baonghean.vn) - Both the home and away teams have just experienced less than successful matches. The clash at Vinh Stadium on January 18th is an opportunity for SLNA or Sanna Khanh Hoa to dispel the lingering disappointment.

Having suffered consecutive disappointing results in the last two rounds against FLC Thanh Hoa (losing 0-2) and XSKT Can Tho (1-1), the Nghe An team has faced immense pressure from its fans.

The difficulties of the 2016 season remain unresolved, and now several more headaches have arisen for head coach Nguyen Duc Thang and the SLNA coaching staff. The best solution at this point is nothing less than the best possible result against the "dark horse" Sanna Khanh Hoa right on their home ground in Vinh.

Despite playing at home, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team didn't have many advantages. The fans' refusal to show their support resulted in sparse attendance at Vinh Stadium.

As evidence, in the recent match against XSKT Can Tho, the "Vinh Stadium cauldron" only welcomed about 3,000 people to cheer on the team. A dull atmosphere enveloped the stands of Vinh Stadium. Without the enthusiastic support of the fans, the players' morale was significantly affected.

The match against Sanna Khanh Hoa is an opportunity for SLNA players to secure their first victory. Photo: Internet

Following adjustments made by the coaching staff in the match against XSKT Can Tho, SLNA seems to be gradually showing positive signs in their playing style. Although the defense still played quite erratically with mistakes from individual plays, the attack has found a connection between the positions. The two foreign players, Henry and Olaha, seem to have adapted to the team's overall playing style. Henry's goal against goalkeeper Buu Ngoc (XSKT Can Tho) came from Olaha's dribbling and cross.

Now, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team are backed into a corner. Another poor performance would only deepen the crisis and erode the remaining patience of the Nghe An fans. Facing a tough opponent like Sanna Khanh Hoa, SLNA's task remains to secure all three points.

To achieve that goal, mistakes like those made by Que Ngoc Hai and Pham Manh Hung must not be repeated. In addition, the attacking players, including The Cuong, Phi Son, Olaha, Henry, etc., need to make the most of every opportunity they get.

Sanna Khanh Hoa traveled to Vinh Stadium feeling quite disappointed, a consequence of their bitter defeat at their home ground on August 19th against FLC Thanh Hoa. To be fair, in the match against Thanh Hoa in the second round, Coach Vo Dinh Tan's players performed quite well, dominating the game, but unfortunately, their strikers failed to capitalize on the good scoring opportunities created.

The 0-2 defeat scoreline does not accurately reflect the performance of Tran Van Vu and his teammates.

Without defender Dinh Nhon due to suspension after a collision with Omar of FLC Thanh Hoa, coach Vo Dinh Tan still has many noteworthy players at his disposal, such as Lam Ti Phong, Hoang Nhat Nam, Quoc Chi, and especially the two dangerous foreign players Diao and Zarour. The playing style that Vo Dinh Tan has built at Sanna Khanh Hoa is extremely difficult to deal with and highly organized. There is no imbalance between the lines, with the two foreign players positioned as one attacking and one defensive player. With foreign players carrying the burden at both ends, the domestic players of Sanna Khanh Hoa have an easier time in challenges against opponents.

Coach Vo Dinh Tan's players are the "nemesis" of the Nghe An team. (Illustrative image.)

Despite playing away from home, Vinh Stadium has proven to be a "lucky ground" for Sanna Khanh Hoa. Statistics show that in their last three away matches against SLNA, Coach Vo Dinh Tan's team won two (in the 2015 and 2016 V. League seasons) and lost only one (in the National Cup). In the return match of the 2016 V. League season, Uche (now playing for FLC Thanh Hoa) scored both goals, helping Sanna Khanh Hoa come from behind to win 2-1 against the home team SLNA.

Since joining the V. League in 2015, Sanna Khanh Hoa has never lost to the Nghe An team in Vietnam's most prestigious football competition. The team from the coastal city is truly SLNA's nemesis.

Based on past statistics and the current playing style of the team led by coach Vo Dinh Tan, not many people believe that coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team can secure their first victory. However, in football, statistics are sometimes only for reference; the team that is better prepared, knows how to minimize mistakes, and takes advantage of opportunities better will win.

SLNA is not superior to Sanna Khánh Hòa in many aspects, but that doesn't mean the home team will have fewer chances to win this match.

Tram Uyen