SLNA - XSKT.CT (1-1): We need to praise SLNA's coaching staff!

(Baonghean.vn) - The famous referee blew the final whistle, which was also the moment when the players, coaching staff and fans of the Nghe An team could not hide their regret and disappointment at the result they had just achieved against XSKT Can Tho.

Losing the victory in extra time, right at home, against a weak opponent like XSKT Can Tho is really regrettable and very disappointing for SLNA and its fans. But objectively speaking, the performance of coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team at Vinh Stadium in this second round still has many things that need to be recognized and appreciated, opening up positive signals for the upcoming journey of Nguyen Manh and his teammates.

Head coach Nguyen Duc Thang and the SLNA coaching staff made positive impressions in the match against XSKT Can Tho. Photo: Trung Kien.

The most commendable is SLNA's coaching staff with the duo Nguyen Duc Thang - Nguyen Van Thinh. Realizing the mistakes in the personnel arrangement in the North Central derby with FLC Thanh Hoa, the Nghe An team made strong adjustments by changing up to 4 positions in the starting lineup, in turn Van Khanh, Sy Nam, The Cuong, Ngoc Toan were put on the field to replace Manh Hung, Sy Sam, Minh Duc, Xuan Manh. Thanks to that decision, SLNA showed a brighter face in the reception of XSKT Can Tho.

The Nghe An players created a rather proactive game against the visitors' pressing style of play by holding the ball, coordinating 1-2, and coordinating quite smoothly in groups. It has been a long time since fans have seen SLNA players play so smoothly.

From defense to attack, Ngoc Duc, Sy Nam, Ngoc Toan, Khac Ngoc, The Cuong, Phi Son, Olaha... were calm and confident enough to dribble and coordinate with teammates amidst the siege of the opposing team's players.

According to statistics, during the 90 minutes at Vinh Stadium, the home team controlled the ball up to 60%, while coach Vu Quang Bao's students only controlled 40%. With a slightly longer possession time, SLNA also knew how to exploit that advantage.

Many opportunities were created from the deliberate combinations from the middle and the wings, from high balls or low balls. If more accurate and goalkeeper Buu Ngoc did not play so well, SLNA would have had at least 2 goals from the finishing shots of The Cuong and Henry (3 times).

Henry scored for SLNA after a cross from teammate Olaha.

The tactics used by SLNA's coaching staff in the match against XSKT Can Tho were extremely reasonable. Typically, Phi Son and The Cuong, although being wingers, often moved inside to stretch the opponent's defense, creating space for the two full-backs Ngoc Duc and Sy Nam to run up and launch crosses inside. Unfortunately, those crosses either lacked accuracy or were excellently blocked by XSKT Can Tho's defenders.

However, just a few more matches when SLNA players find their best ball feeling, this promises to be an extremely dangerous move.

Another clear mark of SLNA's coaching staff in the last match was the way foreign striker Olaha played. Arranged to play with Henry on the attack line, Olaha actually played deep like a classic number 10. With abundant physical strength and a flexible left foot, the player born in 1997 had good ball control, dribbling and coordination with his teammates around him. Thanks to his escape down the left wing in the direction of SLNA's attack, Olaha helped Henry score the goal that broke the deadlock.

Observing the movement of the Nigerian striker, everyone realized the intention of the duo Nguyen Duc Thang - Nguyen Van Thinh. Instructing Olaha to play back to share the fire with Khac Ngoc will help SLNA have more diverse options in approaching the XSKT Can Tho goal. At that time, Khac Ngoc will have more space in front to move and in the situation of being surrounded by the opponent, Olaha will be there to coordinate to escape the siege.

Thanks to Olaha dropping back, Khac Ngoc also participated more in supporting Ngoc Toan's defense. The gaps in front of the central defender duo Ngoc Hai - Van Khanh were noticeably reduced, forcing XSKT Can Tho to find a way into Nguyen Manh's goal from high balls. It was the arrangement of SLNA's coaching staff by letting Olaha drop back like an attacking midfielder, which contributed to helping the Nghe An team's midfield overwhelm the XSKT Can Tho midfield, something they could not do in the match against FLC Thanh Hoa.

Of course, in football, the final result is the most important thing. Unable to beat XSKT Can Tho, SLNA is still stuck at the bottom of the rankings with only 1 point. Many difficulties are waiting for coach Nguyen Duc Thang and his team ahead, but at this time, let's praise and encourage Henry, Olaha, The Cuong... and especially SLNA's coaching staff, so that they can be confident in the difficult journey of V. League 2017./.

Thanh Hung