Song Lam Nghe An: What title is equal to 'champion' in the hearts of fans?

(Baonghean.vn) - The National Cup championship or a high position in the V.League rankings will become meaningless if SLNA loses its position in the hearts of fans.

Everlasting value

From the days when they were a provincial team to when they became professional, SLNA still had their own happiness when they were the pride of the people of Nghe An. Former famous player Ngo Quang Truong, former head coach of SLNA and now head coach of U15 SLNA once recounted. He clearly remembers the memories of the first days wearing the hometown shirt. For him, the image of Nghe An fans is always an incomparable source of motivation.

SLNA's most valuable championship right now is the hearts of its fans - Photo: Trung Kien

“In 1996, SLNA played as guests at Can Tho Stadium. There was a couple who rode a motorbike from Kien Giang, traveling 200km from dawn. When we stepped out onto the pitch to greet the audience before the match, we saw a banner hanging: “Song Lam Nghe An – The admiration of those far from home”. I am a tough person, but after reading that message, I felt hot inside, goosebumps all over. That was truly a strong motivation for us to compete.” - Coach Ngo Quang Truong recounted.

Through many ups and downs, SLNA still stands firm amidst changes in market mechanisms, amid "brain drain". Amidst financial and institutional difficulties, the Nghe An team still maintains the Nghe An spirit in the squad. There is still the fiery spirit that players like Que Ngoc Hai, Hoang Van Khanh... are inheriting. There are still some flaws, but SLNA is still the "best" team in V.League.

There is a long-standing reality that wherever Nghe An people go, they are proud of their hometown football team. The SLNA shirt still follows the kindergarten children to school, the construction workers at the construction site or the farmers in the fields, and even the disabled. These are values ​​that cannot be bought with money...

"People's love" is the launching pad

The symbol of Nghe An football and the current leader of the national team – Nguyen Huu Thang made a statement that touched people’s hearts: “Football without the audience will not go anywhere. I always remind my students that if anyone does not play with all their heart for the flag and the shirt, they are guilty towards the fans.”

During the time the 1972-born coach led SLNA, there were things that he could not do and did do. Those were the 2010 and 2012 National Cup championships, the 2011 V.League championship and the 2012 National Super Cup. However, what Huu Thang instilled in SLNA was the soul and fiery spirit that he had shown throughout his time as a player. For that reason, even though they lost weak matches, the people of Nghe An still returned to their love for SLNA after just a few fiery, devoted matches...

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang's willingness to learn is helping SLNA gradually regain the trust of its loyal fans - Photo: Trung Kien

V.League 2017 is relying on the ability and dedication of Coach Nguyen Duc Thang amidst many difficulties. Finances are tight, talent is wavering between the decision to stay or leave. More importantly, SLNA is really in the context of force transfer and young players have not yet affirmed much. I think, at this time, the title is not the deciding factor.

In football, titles are just recognition. The ultimate goal of football is still to serve the fans, to bring excitement to the fans. The success of a team does not come from the Cup. The clearest proof is Hanoi FC. They are a model of professional football and youth training. But identity and tradition are things they cannot buy with money or titles, but need time.

SLNA has a rich tradition. SLNA has never tasted relegation and it is very difficult to be relegated. However, the difficult problem for coach Duc Thang at this time is how to maximize the Nghe quality flowing in the veins of the young players. That is the decisive factor for the stands full of fans, for the success of a team.

The National Cup championship is completely within SLNA's reach. But perhaps we should not rush to discuss whether coach Duc Thang and his team will give up or not. Because even a V.League championship without spectators coming to the stadium is still considered a failure.

Coach Nguyen Duc Thang is right to trust young players. And one thing is for sure, once the fans are ready to accept the poor results and see the future of the team in the following years, they will still feel warm, still come to the stadium to see their domestic players contributing for them. In pleasing the fans' wishes, Coach Nguyen Duc Thang will not be alone, no matter what the end-of-season results are!

Trung Kien