Song Lam Nghe An - Dong Tam Long An (1/5): Opportunity for the home team

(Baonghean.vn) This Sunday (May 1), SLNA will host Dong Tam Long An (DTLA) at home in round 8.V-League 2016. Both teams are currently "depleted" in terms of strength; many important pillars are absent, requiring the two captains to show their talent in commanding and arranging the team. However, with the home field advantage and the history of confrontation as well as the poor performance of the away team, Nghe An fans have the right to hope that the home team will win all 3 points with a convincing victory...

Immediately after returning from Gia Lai, SLNA started preparing for the match with Long An this weekend. After 7 rounds, SLNA has only won 8 points with 2 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, temporarily ranked 9th on the rankings. A position that can be said to be temporarily acceptable compared to what Coach Quang Truong has in hand.

However, to get that result is thanks to the impressive return of Que Ngoc Hai. Thanks to his bravery and brilliant performance, the player from Dien Chau helped SLNA win two consecutive victories against B. Binh Duong and Saigon FC and an impressive draw at Pleiku Stadium. Not the "symbol" Nguyen Manh but Que Ngoc Hai is becoming the soul of the SLNA team. That is to say, the red card that Que Ngoc Hai received in the last minute of extra time (minute 92) in the match against HAGL in round 7 is causing coach Ngo Quang Truong a headache in finding a replacement plan to strengthen the defense in the reception of DTLA. If Manh Hung is allowed to enter the field, SLNA's defense will not be solid when this player's performance has been on a downward trend in recent times. Coach Ngo Quang Truong also admitted: "Ngoc Hai's red card is correct. SLNA will face certain difficulties in the absence of key players like Ngoc Hai".

Que Ngoc Hai received a red card in the extra time of the match between SLNA - HAGL, Coach Ngo Quang Truong had a headache finding a replacement - Internet photo

Obviously, the worries of Nghe An fans are completely justified when the absence of Que Ngoc Hai makes SLNA's defense fragile and vulnerable. Because, signs of age make Minh Duc somewhat slower than before; Van Khanh, Ngoc Duc do not have much experience. Meanwhile, the midfield is dry because there is no creative midfielder. In the front line, Odah's performance is very erratic and Baba is making fans angry with his turtle-like acceleration and his clumsy handling of the ball with his "wooden leg", finishing like an amateur player when continuously missing golden opportunities.

To find a possible solution in this match, some experts believe that SLNA should "try to renew the squad" by moving Baba back to play as a defensive midfielder, directing winger Phi Son to attack deep into the center to create conditions for Dinh Hoang to attack high up. At the same time, coach Quang Truong should give opportunities to players such as: Tuan Tai, Xuan Manh, Viet Nguyen, Sy Nam, Phuc Thinh... to test their skills.

Fortunately for SLNA, their opponent in round 8 - DTLA is also in dire straits. Coach Ngo Quang Sang's team is currently second to last in the V-League standings, just 1 point ahead of the bottom team Dong Thap. After 7 rounds, this Western team has only 4 points with 1 win, 1 draw and 5 losses, including 4 away losses. Both the offense and defense have shown poor performance, scoring only 6 goals and conceding 18 goals. Traveling to Vinh, coach Ngo Quang Sang and his team will certainly aim to earn at most 1 point. But doing that is not easy when at the moment, SLNA is thirsty for victory to regain the trust of fans after a humiliating and doubtful defeat in their away match against Than Quang Ninh in round 6.

Song Lam Nghe An defeated Dong Tam Long An in round 15 of V-League 2015. - Photo by Duc Dung

Regarding the force, if the home team SLNA does not have the service of the pillar Que Ngoc Hai, DTLA will also have a heavily damaged squad in this away trip. Midfielder Huynh Tan Tai will not be able to play because he received a direct red card in the match against Saigon FC, and naturalized striker Le Van Tan will also be absent because he received 3 consecutive yellow cards. Meanwhile, Quang Thanh and Tai Em are also forced to play the role of involuntary spectators because they are injured.

“The Vinh Fire Pan” has always been a “bad luck” for DTLA when the history of confrontations does not favor the team from the Brick Land, every time they had to leave in the pain of defeat. Last season, SLNA also won with a score of 2-1, even in the return leg of the 2013 season, the yellow-shirted warriors scored 8 unanswered goals against DTLA.

Obviously, the past and present are completely against DTLA. This is a great opportunity for coach Quang Truong and his team to win, improve their position on the rankings as well as strengthen the confidence of Nghe An fans.

KIM THUY