SLNA and the mission to conquer the best defense in V.League 2018

In the first leg against S. Khanh Hoa BVN at Vinh Stadium, SLNA completely dominated the game. The Nghe An team had 22 shots, 8 on target and did not score a single goal. However, S. Khanh Hoa BVN only had 1 shot and brought the match to an end with the victory belonging to the away team. It is not because SLNA's attack is not sharp when playing with a foreign player, but Khanh Hoa's defense with goalkeeper Tuan Manh in the goal is truly a solid support for this team.

S. Khanh Hoa BVN is currently ranked 2nd on the rankings and is sure to be in the Top with medals. But SLNA, after falling to Thanh Hoa at Vinh Stadium, does not want to give up. The Nghe An team has 36 points, 1 win less than the 3rd ranked team, FLC Thanh Hoa. Although the chance to enter the Top 3 is gone, SLNA still has to fight for their honor and image throughout the season. Having exceeded the target set at the beginning of the year, the spirit of SLNA and Khanh Hoa is very comfortable.

In the first leg, Song Lam Nghe An lost to S. Khanh Hoa BVN despite completely controlling the game. Photo courtesy

Regarding the squad, SLNA is missing defender Pham Xuan Manh and striker Ho Phuc Tinh due to injury. In addition, the return of midfielder Hoang Van Binh and midfielder Phan Van Duc will help the Nghe An team regain inspiration when organizing attacks. In the match against Thanh Hoa, the SLNA midfield played like "a chicken with its hair caught" without Van Binh. Meanwhile, S. Khanh Hoa has the strongest squad.

In the past, S. Khanh Hoa BVN was a truly formidable opponent of SLNA. The two teams have only met 8 times in total, but SLNA has only won once, which was at home. The rest, SLNA drew 4 and lost 3 when facing the coastal team. S. Khanh Hoa BVN is the team with a 13-match unbeaten streak. Meanwhile, SLNA has just experienced 2 somewhat unlucky losses against Than Quang Ninh and FLC Thanh Hoa.

Statistically, S. Khanh Hoa is a team that plays better and better. This season, they scored 32 goals and conceded only 24 goals (the best defense in V.League). Coach Vo Dinh Tan's students scored 9 goals in the last 15 minutes of the match, accounting for 28.1%. Meanwhile, SLNA only scored 3 goals during this period, and often conceded goals in decisive moments. Both Khanh Hoa and SLNA teams started well in the first 15 minutes of each half.

In terms of individual players, SLNA has a completely superior squad quality. However, in V.League, S. Khanh Hoa BVN with a reasonable defensive counter-attacking style of play, is almost fearless against any team. Que Ngoc Hai and SLNA's defense will have to be on high alert with Toure Youssouf having scored 13 goals. Even Quoc Chi, a domestic midfielder, has scored 8 goals.

In recent matches, foreign player Jeremie Lynch has shown signs of declining form, this player has only stopped at 3 goals. SLNA's coaching board needs to consider creating conditions for Tuan Tai to enter the field early, giving him more opportunities to show himself. Another concern is still present, waiting for coach Duc Thang to find a solution, which is the ability to control the rhythm of the midfield when Van Binh is out of stamina and is replaced by Sy Sam and Ngoc Toan.

Overall, the upcoming match against S. Khanh Hoa BVN at Nha Trang Stadium is not too difficult for the Nghe team. However, this is a battle of wits between young and potential coaches in the V.League. If the Nghe team can beat Khanh Hoa and Ho Chi Minh City, the 2018 season will end wonderfully for SLNA./.

LIVE: SLNA - S. Khanh Hoa BVN, Thanh Vinh opens the festival

(Baonghean.vn) - Live coverage of the match between Song Lam Nghe An and S. Khanh Hoa BVN in round 2 of V.League 2018. The match takes place at 4:30 p.m. this afternoon (March 18) at Vinh Stadium and promises to be dramatic and exciting.