Song Lam Nghe An was eliminated from the 2022 National Cup: 'Accident' or 'problem'?

Although not allowed to use 3 foreign players O'Ojong Mark, Olaha and Oseni, the squad ofLam River Nghe Anis still rated much higher than the home team, thanks to the presence of a series of players who are regularly "on the national team's roster". Besides Que Ngoc Hai, Pham Xuan Manh, Phan Van Duc are Thai Ba Sang, Ho Khac Luong, Mai Sy Hoang, Dang Van Lam and Nguyen Van Viet.

Unfortunately, the players' technical superiority did not help Song Lam Nghe An achieve a game and a worthy result. In just 3 minutes (from minute 22 to minute 24), goalkeeper Le Van Hung's net almost shook due to 2 shots by Pham Van Hoi (hitting the junction between the crossbar and the vertical post) and Ha Kien Cuong (missing the goal by a hair).

The ball fight between players of Song Lam Nghe An (white shirt) and Binh Phuoc. Photo: Song Lam Plus

However, luck could not help the Nghe An team avoid defeat. In the 55th minute, Ngo Hong Phuoc received a cross from his teammate and accurately tapped the ball into the visitors' net, opening the score. Before they could recover from the loss, the Song Lam Nghe An players were punished by the home team again with a goal by Ha Kien Cuong (minute 57).

In the following minutes, the away team rose up strongly. And the honorary goal of Ho Phuc Tinh in the 76th minute was all they could do. Thus, this is the second consecutive season in the National Cup, Song Lam Nghe An was defeated by a team playing in the First Division right in the qualifying round. Remember, in last year's season, Phan Van Duc and his teammates lost to Pho Hien with a score of 0 - 1.

In the past, before Tan Long Group took over, Song Lam Nghe An, like many other football teams in Vietnam (without strong financial resources), often chose to give up early at the National Cup. The purpose was nothing more than to save costs for the team. That's why football fans in the country often jokingly call the National Cup "cuoc ra cup".

There were quite a few Song Lam Nghe An fans who came to the stadium to cheer for Phan Van Duc and his teammates. Photo: Song Lam Plus

After all, it is not a big deal for a team that is rated higher to lose to a team that is rated lower. The important thing is how the losing team performs, not just what appears on the scoreboard. Obviously, in the match against Binh Phuoc, which took place on the afternoon of April 7, the fighting spirit of the Song Lam Nghe An players was not at its highest level.

Witnessing the extremely disappointing performance of Phan Van Duc and his teammates in the last match, Nghe An football fans have reason to doubt the true ambition of Tan Long Group. Is it possible that the Nghe An team accepts "losing a match to win the whole season", with the goal of being in the TOP 3 in the 2022 V.League arena?