SLNA faces the 'problem' of Que Ngoc Hai!

(Baonghean) - Ngoc Hai is currently the hope and bright spot for SLNA during this difficult period, but his ability to play well in multiple positions is causing coach Ngo Quang Truong to struggle in finding the most effective way to utilize this player's qualities. In the V-League 2016 so far, Ngoc Hai has played 618 minutes in 7 matches, with 5 matches as a defensive midfielder and 2 matches in his preferred position as a center-back.

The matches against HAGL and recently against Dong Thap were two games where Ngoc Hai was returned to his preferred position as a center-back, and in both of those games, Hai played quite excellently. Of course, when playing in his preferred center-back position, Hai was able to showcase his strongest qualities.

However, given SLNA's midfield shortage and lack of stability, and the increasingly effective and trustworthy partnership between center-backs Minh Duc and Van Khanh, coach Ngo Quang Truong wants to better utilize Hai's qualities by deploying him in the defensive midfield position.

Que Ngoc Hai wore the captain's armband in the SLNA vs. Dong Thap match on the afternoon of May 22nd. Photo: Duc Chuyen

Currently, the defensive midfield role is being occupied by young player Vo Ngoc Toan. With his tenacious and passionate playing style, Ngoc Toan has been doing a great job of recovering the ball recently. Therefore, moving Ngoc Hai to play in midfield coincides with Ngoc Toan's role when both are on the field. The strength of both players lies in their ability to win back possession and tackle.

The combination of these two players in midfield is only truly effective when SLNA plays as the underdog, opting for a defensive counter-attacking style against opponents with strong, dominant midfields. In such situations, Ngoc Hai's ball recovery, interception, and positioning skills, combined with Ngoc Toan's "sweeper" ability, will be maximized. This helps reduce pressure on the defense and allows for the utilization of Hai's long passes over the top in quick counter-attacks, a prime example being his pass to Dinh Hoang in the victory against Binh Duong.

However, using both Ngoc Hai and Ngoc Toan in the central midfield in an attacking game against weaker opponents proved ineffective. Neither player possesses the flair or technical skill to control the tempo of the game or create chances. Ngoc Hai is a central defender, so demanding skillful dribbling and technical play from him is impossible. Furthermore, a crucial skill for a defensive midfielder – long-range shooting – is not yet a strong point for Ngoc Hai.

Que Ngoc Hai in an aerial duel. Photo: Duc Chuyen

In the recent match against the weaker opponent Dong Thap, the solution of moving Ngoc Hai back to the center-back position and bringing in a technically skilled midfielder like Khac Ngoc showed more positive signs in the attacking game, and this also proves that the above assessments are well-founded.

The Que Ngoc Hai problem may seem easy, but it's actually a difficult one that needs solving, so that SLNA can quickly return to the necessary stable playing style.

Pham Cung Son