How will SLNA play with Van Binh?

Van Binh quickly reintegrated into his former team, SLNA. Photo: Internet

First of all, it must be said that Van Binh's return to SLNA at this time is necessary, as the Nghe An team is facing difficulties in terms of personnel and is at the bottom of the league table. Having come through the SLNA youth academy, the player born in 1989 didn't need much time to adapt to training, living, and playing. His years at Becamex Binh Duong and later FLC Thanh Hoa helped him mature significantly professionally.

Who will be the conductor?

Currently, Khắc Ngọc is the "orchestrator" leading SLNA's gameplay. Besides one goal, the number 12 player has provided seven assists. His ability to coordinate with Văn Đức, Olaha, and recently Tuấn Tài is excellent. Often, this midfielder will deliver passes that "cut through" the central defenders, allowing his teammates to use their speed to score. His well-placed assists and the curling shot with the outside of his right foot in the match against SHB Đà Nẵng in the National Cup partly demonstrated the class of this national team player.

For a long time, Khắc Ngọc has been an indispensable player in the midfield, with Ngọc Toàn or Sỹ Sâm as his partners. Compared to Ngọc Toàn, Sỹ Sâm's defensive capabilities are better; this number 8 plays deeper, mainly preventing opponents from attacking. To counter aerial balls and limit the attacking prowess of opposing foreign players, Olaha is also instructed to drop deeper and participate in defense.

Wearing the SLNA jersey and the number 15, Van Binh will play as a defensive midfielder alongside Khac Ngoc in the center of the field. This is Van Binh's preferred position when he played for SLNA, Becamex Binh Duong, FLC Thanh Hoa, and the national team.

Compared to SLNA's current midfielders, Van Binh is quicker at tackling and more aggressive in challenges. Many V-League strikers are wary of his scissor-style tackles. Van Binh is stronger than Khac Ngoc in one-on-one passes in the penalty area; conversely, his quick 50/50 tackles make him vulnerable to opponents getting past him.

Regarding the match at Vinh Stadium, the SLNA coaching staff will use Van Binh in the defensive midfield role, but who will be the "orchestrator" of the Nghe An team is a matter that needs careful consideration. First of all, in a team, there won't be two "bosses," that's for sure. Not only at SLNA, but any team needs only one person to orchestrate and coordinate the game. The decision on who will be the orchestrator will be made by the SLNA coaching staff based on the team's actual situation.

Building upon the existing foundation

Khac Ngoc and Tuan Tai are increasingly working well together. Photo: Internet

Currently, SLNA is trying out three foreign players, and it seems difficult to find a quality foreign player at this time. The option of center forward Ho Tuan Tai remains the most viable, as SLNA's strikerless style of play is still proving effective.

However, with Van Binh returning to SLNA, Olaha needs to be pushed higher up the field, closer to the opponent's goal. In my opinion, even Khac Ngoc needs to be relieved of some defensive duties, and SLNA's formation needs to be pushed higher up the field than in the first leg.

Therefore, in the two central midfield positions, Khắc Ngọc should play higher up the pitch, while Văn Bình will act as a defensive midfielder, intercepting passes and initiating long passes. Khắc Ngọc will still play the role of an organizing midfielder, responsible for taking long-range shots and free kicks.

SLNA doesn't have much time left to experiment with their playing style. They are preparing for two extremely important matches in the second half of the season: against Saigon (at Vinh Stadium) in round 16 and Nam Dinh (at Thien Truong Stadium) in round 18. These are direct rivals against whom SLNA suffered disappointing defeats in the first half of the season. SLNA needs to inherit Khac Ngoc's playing style and role to win in this crucial period. Having played for SLNA and the national team for many years, Van Binh will surely adapt quickly to the new playing style.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang: "Van Binh is the difference-maker."

(Baonghean.vn) - With a 2-1 victory over B. Binh Duong, SLNA now has 14 points and has temporarily escaped the relegation zone, sitting in 11th place. This was a valuable win for SLNA and boosted the team's confidence for the remainder of the second half of the 2018 V.League season.