Will SLNA have its first victory at Vinh Stadium in V.League 2018?

The 3-3 draw at Can Tho Stadium in the 5th round was not a bad achievement for the Nghe An team. Having to play away against the home team XSKT Can Tho, who are in good form and have a quality squad, what coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team have done is truly admirable.

When the Tay Do team scored a goal to increase the score to 3 - 2 at the beginning of the second half (scored by Luiz), many people dared to believe that SLNA could leave Ninh Kieu wharf with 1 point in hand.

However, with tireless efforts and great determination, Ngoc Hai and his teammates rose up strongly to equalize the score 3 - 3 (Van Duc scored). The comeback on Can Tho field is commendable because it took place in the context of the injury problem that was plaguing the Nghe An team (Nguyen Manh, Ngoc Toan, Osmar Moreira) and the physical exhaustion due to the AFC Cup, and the long journey from Vinh to Can Tho.

Van Duc scored a double against XSKT Can Tho in the 5th round of V.League 2018.Photo: Tuan Huu

Returning to the “fire pot of Vinh”, SLNA will have to continue to face a not-so-easy opponent, B.Binh Duong. About 2 years ago, the team from Thu Dau Mot was considered the “nemesis” of SLNA.

During the period 2004 - 2015, every time they competed with B.Binh Duong, regardless of home or away, in the V.League or National Cup, the Nghe An team often lost more than won. But since the 2016 season, things have changed in favor of SLNA.

According to statistics, in the last 6 meetings in the arena, the Vinh home team has had an unbeaten record (4 wins, 2 draws). Especially in the 2017 National Cup, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team met B.Binh Duong in the final match.

In the first leg at Binh Duong Stadium, SLNA defeated the home team with a score of 2-1. In the rematch at Vinh Stadium, the Nghe An team also defeated B.Binh Duong with a score of 5-1, to raise the championship trophy.

SLNA's 5-1 victory over B.Binh Duong in the second leg of the 2017 National Cup final. Photo courtesy

Now meeting again in round 6 of V.League 2018, both SLNA and B.Binh Duong have made notable changes. The home team no longer has the services of star Phi Son (transferred to Ho Chi Minh City Club), while on the coaching bench of the away team is the appearance of coach Tran Minh Chien (replacing veteran coach Tran Binh Su).

Although B.Binh Duong and SLNA have not achieved the expected results, there are still many optimistic signs in the playing style of the two teams.

In terms of strength, the Nghe An team is considered to be somewhat better than what coach Tran Minh Chien has, at least in terms of cohesion. With home field advantage and head-to-head record in recent meetings, coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team will have the opportunity to win all 3 points.

Most likely, SLNA will have its first victory at Vinh Stadium in V.League 2018./.