SLNA and its 'wings' are gradually flying high

The reason he did not say anything is that in recent confrontation history, SLNA has not won any match, most recently in V-League 2021, the home team lost 0-2. Meanwhile, HLHT is on a high with 2 consecutive wins in V-League 1-2022, so Huy Hoang, despite his determination, does not dare to "dream" of winning or erasing the previous streak of draws and losses against this team that knows each other too well.

In the match, SLNA continued to be without foreign midfielder Ojong Mark, defender Dinh Hoang was suspended so Xuan Tien was still able to enter the field from the start, alongside his teammate from the U17, U19 and U23 Vietnam era, defender Van Cuong. Putting two U19 players in a V-League match, even in a derby, was a risky move but it seemed Huy Hoang had no other choice.

Sy Hoang assisted Oseni to score the only goal in the 16th minute and this was the second goal in the V-League that this foreign player scored for SLNA. Photo courtesy of Chung Nguyen

Meanwhile, HLHT's side is missing captain midfielder Thanh Trung, but the away team has coach Thanh Cong, midfielder Xuan Toan, not to mention Phi Son's injury, midfielder Van Cong... who is a former SLNA player, born and raised in Nghe An, so it is easy to read all the lessons, strengths, and weaknesses of both teachers and students. Not only that, in training or friendly tournaments, the two neighboring teams are often each other's "blue team", so familiarity is very obvious. Not to mention that for a late-born team like HLHT, the desire to reach new heights is always burning in every player. Playing well and playing well against a team with a rich tradition like SLNA is what any team wants, including HLHT.

The match was tense but after Oseni's goal in the 16th minute, no more goals were scored. Photo: Chung Nguyen

Because they understood each other so well, the fact that the two teams played fiercely and fiercely was a prominent fact in the 90 minutes of play. HLHT's wing attacks were quite sharp, especially on the left with Quach Tan when this player repeatedly broke down close to the sideline to cross the ball inside, always being guarded by Ngoc Hai and his teammates at the highest level to neutralize the attacks from the second line. HLHT was also quite excellent with set pieces. Unfortunately, center back Van Nam had at least 2 dangerous headers but both failed to get past the control of goalkeeper Van Hoang on the home team.

Overall, throughout the match, SLNA's midfield was considered to be more energetic, cohesive, and better at distributing cards than the away team's midfield. Xuan Tien started for the second time, still playing for no more than 65 minutes, but showed composure and integrated well with his seniors Van Duc and Xuan Manh. Van Cuong and Sy Hoang took on heavy duties on the wings and their youthful enthusiasm helped these "wings" fly high and complete their tasks well, especially Sy Hoang with his assist to help Oseni score the only goal in the 16th minute, and this was the second goal in the V-League that this foreign player scored for SLNA.

In the last two matches, young defender Sy Hoang scored 1 goal and 1 assist, which is a commendable achievement, after a long time of training with U23 Vietnam but was not named in the team for SEA Games 32. Besides, it should also be said that a few awkward moments of young player Van Cuong in his first start are completely understandable and shareable.

Over time, the pair Xuan Tien and Van Cuong - the youngest starting players of SLNA - will gradually improve and catch up with other pillars. They are the biggest hope of Nghe An football at this time.

Also in this tense and exciting match, if he had been luckier, Oseni could have scored a double if his close-range shot in the middle of the second half had been more accurate and dangerous. Van Duc also had 2 chances to score a "super product" but unfortunately his luck had not come. Goalkeeper Van Hoang had a very commendable match when he always controlled the penalty area, entering and exiting to handle the ball accurately and neatly...

The away team must still be regretful after the match when Quach Tan or Van Nam missed many good opportunities. SLNA's defense did not concede a goal in the last 2 home matches, but it cannot be said that everything was really perfect. Just in the first few minutes of the first half of the above match, the 2 central defenders Van Khanh and Ba Sang received yellow cards, not only affecting that match but also affecting the future if they continue to receive more cards. Surely SLNA's defensive stability will be broken when the defenders commit many fouls and if the referee is heavy-handed, it is impossible to predict what the consequences will be in the upcoming away matches?