SLNA lost the second consecutive match in V.League 2020: 'Children are not smart'!

Before this match, not many people believed that the team from Thanh Nam would easily defeat the team from Nghe An. Because for 5 consecutive matches (4 matches in V.League and 1 match in the National Cup), Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh only knew how to lose and lose. With such poor performance, the team from Thanh Nam had to "change generals" in the hope of "changing fortunes" (Coach Pham Hong Phu replaced Coach Nguyen Van Sy).

Experience is what Bui Dinh Chau and some of his teammates lack. Photo courtesy of Hai Hoang

On the other hand, SLNA has surprised many experts and football fans in the country with a series of impressive matches (3 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss), especially the 1-0 victory over Hanoi FC right at Hang Day Stadium in round 5. Obviously, SLNA is rated higher than Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh, even though they had to play away and just lost 1-3 to Ho Chi Minh City FC.

However, the match at Thien Truong Stadium did not go according to the scenario that most fans had predicted. The Nghe An team lost completely to the Nam Dinh team, with 3 goals to nil. Phan Van Duc and his teammates were no longer themselves, at least compared to what they had shown in the 1-0 victory over Hanoi FC on June 18.

Not only were they inferior to their opponents in terms of technical statistics (ball control, shots, goals, etc.), coach Ngo Quang Truong's team also failed to demonstrate their inherent fighting spirit. It seemed that the pressure from more than 10,000 home fans had caused Gustavo Santos and his teammates to be "psychologically paralyzed". Therefore, the away team's players' moves were not very accurate.

SLNA players (red shirts) were disappointed after conceding a goal. Photo: VPF

Objectively speaking, it is not that Thai Ba Sang, Bui Dinh Chau, Dang Van Lam, Tran Dinh Tien... are not talented, it is just that they lack battle experience. The ancients have a saying: "Smartness does not come to children, strength does not come to old people". Thanks to their youth, SLNA can defeat a powerful team like Hanoi FC. And also because they are too young, the Nghe An team was defeated by Ho Chi Minh City FC and Duoc Nam Ha Nam Dinh.

Certainly, SLNA's coaching staff had anticipated this problem. But realizing it and overcoming it are two different stories. Once "the West cannot carry us", the pillars have not recovered from injuries (Hoang Van Khanh, Pham Xuan Manh, Cao Xuan Thang) or have not yet fully developed their abilities (Ho Tuan Tai)... then SLNA still has to rise and fall on the inspiration of "the young people".

However, the first phase of V.League 2020 has only passed more than half way, the opportunity for coach Ngo Quang Truong and his colleagues to thoroughly resolve the existing shortcomings of the team is still great. Hopefully, SLNA will quickly return to the winning track./.