Song Lam Nghe An: 'Don't let the waves make you give up rowing'!

Phan Van Duc (number 20) is appearing quite lonely on SLNA's attack line.

Currently, after 11 rounds, SLNA has 10 points and is stuck at the bottom of the rankings of phase 1 of V.League 2021. The opportunity to enter the TOP 6 of the teachers and studentsCoach Ngo Quang Truongis "over", because the gap between them and the team in 6th place - B.Binh Duong Club is up to 6 points, while phase 1 has only 2 more rounds to end.

Not only is the gap in points widening for SLNA from their direct opponents, but their schedule for the remainder of V.League 2021 is also extremely difficult. In the immediate future, in the last two rounds of phase 1, the Nghe An team will face Thanh Hoa (round 12) and Hanoi FC (round 13). These are two teams with real strength and are very hungry for points.

SLNA's coaching staff is under a lot of pressure because of the team's performance. Photo: Pham Ky Luat

Furthermore, at this time, SLNA is being hit by a storm of injuries. In addition to Dang Van Lam's long-term absence, coach Ngo Quang Truong also does not have the services of captain Hoang Van Khanh, Nguyen Sy Nam, Ho Phuc Tinh and soon, possibly foreign central defender Igor Jelic (injured in the match against Hai Phong).

Obviously, the road ahead for coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team is extremely difficult. Both subjective and objective factors are not in favor of the Nghe An team. It will not be surprising if, at the end of the first phase, SLNA's position on the rankings is still "bottom" and the gap in points between them and their direct opponents is said to be wider.

However, that does not mean that the direct relegation ticket of V.League 2021 is definitely for SLNA. Simply, coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team still have 7 matches in phase 2, where "those in the same situation" converge. In the "back against the wall" situation, against opponents of "equal weight and weight", the possibility of achieving positive results is not small.

However, compared to its opponents, be it Saigon FC, Hong Linh Ha Tinh or Binh Dinh, the Nghe An team still possesses a squad that is rated higher. At least coach Ngo Quang Truong still has the national team trio Nguyen Van Hoang - Pham Xuan Manh - Phan Van Duc, in addition to the return of Hoang Van Khanh, Dang Van Lam...

Hopefully, coach Ngo Quang Truong and his team will not be afraid or give up because of the difficulties they are facing. More than anyone, more than ever, the SLNA coaching staff and players must be of one mind and determined to fight to save themselves. Only then can the SLNA "ship" successfully overcome the storm./.