Will SLNA easily defeat Binh Phuoc in the National Cup?

This season, in addition to their ambition of finishing in the top 3 of the V.League, coach Nguyen Huy Hoang and his team also aim to go deep in the National Cup, a tournament they have won three times (2002, 2010, and 2017).

Therefore, the goal ofLam River, Nghe AnIn their away match against Binh Phuoc, the goal was nothing less than overcoming a team playing in the First Division to reach the Round of 16. Simply put, the visiting team possesses a high-quality squad, with a host of national team players such as Nguyen Van Hoang, Que Ngoc Hai, Pham Xuan Manh, and Phan Van Duc.

The official lineup of Binh Phuoc in recent matches in the 2022 National First Division League. Photo: VPF

Meanwhile, on the other side of the pitch, Binh Phuoc's lineup mostly consists of relatively unknown players. The two most familiar faces to football experts and fans in Nghe An are Dau Thanh Phong (born in 1993, former midfielder of Song Lam Nghe An) and Truong Cong Thao (born in 1988, striker who graduated from the VST training academy in Cua Lo).

Furthermore, despite playing away from home, Coach Nguyen Huy Hoang's team will receive strong support from a large number of Nghe An football fans who are studying, working, and living in the provinces of the Southeast region. It is very likely that the number of visiting team supporters will even exceed the number of home team supporters.

The national team duo Que Ngoc Hai and Pham Xuan Manh of Song Lam Nghe An. Photo: Xuan Thuy

That doesn't mean Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates will have an easy victory against Binh Phuoc. Remember, in the 2021 National Cup qualifying round, Song Lam Nghe An was defeated 1-0 by First Division team Pho Hien. If they are complacent and underestimate their opponent, the scenario of last season could repeat itself for Coach Nguyen Huy Hoang's team.

According to regulations, when facing a team playing in the First Division, V.League representatives are not allowed to use foreign players. Therefore, the trio of O'OJong Mark, Olaha, and Oseni will not be present in the match between Binh Phuoc and Song Lam Nghe An in the qualifying round of the 2022 National Cup, taking place tomorrow afternoon (April 7th).