Song Lam Nghe An – Dong A Thanh Hoa: Continuing the excitement?

Play-off race is unpredictable

After 22 rounds, Song Lam Nghe An (26 points) is in a not-so-safe position in the group racing to escape the play-off group including Dong A Thanh Hoa (30 points); Hong Linh Ha Tinh (27 points); Quang Nam and Hoang Anh Gia Lai (26 points).

In 11th place, Song Lam Nghe An must win. Because Hong Linh Ha Tinh welcomes The Cong - Viettel at home; Quang Nam has a great chance to score points at the relegated Khanh Hoa while Hoang Anh Gia Lai returns home to welcome Quy Nhon Binh Dinh.

Force

Before this match, Song Lam Nghe An did not have their strongest squad. The Nghe team was missing defender Mai Sy Hoang, center back Le Nguyen Hoang, and striker Phan Xuan Dai was also on the injury list.

However, in the absence of Xuan Dai, coach Pham Anh Tuan still has the emerging name Le Dinh Long Vu. On the Dong A Thanh Hoa side, coach Popov has almost all of his strongest squad, especially the very dangerous striker Rimario.

Recent form

In terms of performance, Song Lam Nghe An was the team that made the strongest impression in May. Under coach Pham Anh Tuan, the team with a squad of players with an average age of only 22.7 years old overcame a series of strong opponents to have a series of 5 unbeaten matches, temporarily escaping the dangerous position. Watching the young players of Song Lam Nghe An play, one feels that they have regained their confidence and are not afraid of any opponent.

As for the away team, after two excellent home matches, defeating B. Binh Duong and Quang Nam, Dong A Thanh Hoa has gone through 3 matches without a win, including 1 loss to Hanoi, Nam Dinh and being held to a draw by Hoang Anh Gia Lai in the previous round. Compared to the beginning of the season, Dong A Thanh Hoa is no longer itself, a very difficult opponent to defeat in the V.League.

Statistical

Both Song Lam Nghe An and Dong A Thanh Hoa have foreign strikers Olaha - Rimario with 9 goals each. In addition, the away team also has a player of quite high class and effective playing style, Luiz Antonio (8 goals).

The home team's attack is not stronger than the away team with 22 goals and 32 compared to the opponent, but the defense of Song Lam Nghe An has only conceded 26 goals, while Dong A Thanh Hoa has received 33 goals. Thanh Hoa's playing style has also caused this team to receive many penalty cards with 54 yellow cards and up to 5 red cards.

Thanh Hoa's weakness is the first 15 minutes of the second half, they only scored 2 goals at this time. Meanwhile, from minutes 60-75, the Thanh team scored 8 goals. From minutes 15-30, there were 7 goals. Song Lam Nghe An often accelerated and attacked effectively in the second half.

In the first leg, Song Lam Nghe An lost quickly 3-1. However, with the mindset of a team with good momentum and form, Song Lam Nghe An is likely to get revenge for the first leg. From there, continue to create an impressive series of matches and stay away from the danger zone. If not, the Nghe An team will have to face unpredictable challenges ahead.