SLNA vs. Quang Nam FC: Top 3 is within reach!

Witnessing the recent winning streak of the Vinh-based team (6 consecutive matches), experts and fans in Nghe An province were understandably surprised. It wasn't until the final match of the first half of the season (round 13) that Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team secured their second consecutive 3-point victory, a 1-0 win against Hai Phong. However, since then, the Nghe An team has achieved 5 more convincing wins.

Phan Văn Đức and his teammates successively defeated B.Bình Dương (2-1), XSKT Cần Thơ (1-0), Sài Gòn FC (3-2), Hải Phòng (3-2), and their latest victim, Nam Định (3-2). Historically, SLNA has never had such a long winning streak.

From second-to-last place (13th) after the 12th round, the Nghe An team jumped all the way to 5th place after the 18th round. The surge by coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team was truly spectacular.

SLNA (in white jerseys) just secured a 3-2 victory away at Nam Dinh. (Photo courtesy of the club)

With 26 points in hand, the Vinh-based team is only one win's worth of points behind FLC Thanh Hoa, currently in third place in the standings. With eight rounds remaining in the 2018 V.League season, the opportunity to finish in the top three is wide open for Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team.

Certainly, the Nghe An team will do everything they can to secure a high position in the 2018 V.League, after many years languishing in the middle of the standings.

Speaking at the press conference after the match between Nam Dinh and SLNA, coach Nguyen Duc Thang shared: “We are determined to play well in every match because we might win today, but we don't know what will happen tomorrow. SLNA's goal is to maintain our best form to bring joy to our fans.”

Therefore, in the upcoming match against Quang Nam FC (taking place at 5 PM on July 15th), Phan Van Duc and his teammates will be determined to win all three points in front of their home crowd. If they defeat the team from Quang Nam, SLNA will continue to put pressure on the teams above them: Than Quang Ninh (28 points), FLC Thanh Hoa (29 points), and S. Khanh Hoa (31 points).

The first leg between the two teams ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo: Archival image)

Currently, the Nghe An team not only has a two-place lead over Quang Nam FC in the standings (Quang Nam is currently in 7th place), but they also have significantly better form than Dinh Thanh Trung and his teammates.

According to statistics, since the start of the second half of the season, Coach Hoang Van Phuc's team has not managed a single victory (1 loss, 4 draws). Comparing Quang Nam FC's record to SLNA's (1 win, 1 draw), the difference in form between the two teams is very clear.

Playing at the "fiery Vinh Stadium," coupled with their significantly better form, three points are unlikely to slip from the grasp of Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's team. A seventh consecutive victory awaits the Nghe An team.