What would Song Lam Nghe An be like if the 2022 V.League football match only lasted... 45 minutes?

V.league 2022 rankings if only counting the first half,Lam River Nghe Anis the leading team in the table with 22 points, after 6 wins, 4 draws, scoring 8 goals and conceding only 1 goal. Those impressive numbers help Song Lam Nghe An leave behind the two teams behind, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hai Phong, 4 points. Hanoi Club, who are leading the table, only earned 16 points after the first half ended.

V.League 2022 rankings if only counting the first half. Graphics: Xuan Quy

In the first half, Song Lam Nghe An always entered the game with great enthusiasm, the Nghe An team was often the team that opened the score. 7/10 matches were the team that opened the score and never once fell behind in the first half, these are very impressive statistics of Song Lam Nghe An. In terms of the number of goals scored in the first half, the Nghe An team was only behind Hai Phong club (8 goals compared to 9 goals).

However, football is a 90-minute match. The second half was a completely different number for Song Lam Nghe An. Only 5 more goals were scored but the number of goals conceded was up to 7. This sad result is the reason why Song Lam Nghe An has suffered 3 defeats up to this point. The Nghe team wasTopenland Binh Dinh, Hanoi came back and SHB Da Nang was overwhelmed 3-1 at Hoa Xuan. Besides, coach Huy Hoang's team was also equalized by Saigon, losing the lead.

V.League 2022 rankings. Graphics: Xuan Quy

The goals scored in the second half were all goals when the game was already decided. Only the opening goal in the victory over Binh Duong in the first round brought 3 points to the Nghe team.

Those numbers reflect the truth about the quality of the Song Lam Nghe An squad. The gap between the reserve force and the official squad is too large. Especially in the midfield and forward lines. When the main factors play below their ability or are no longer physically fit, the replacements will find it difficult to fill the gap and create breakthroughs. The absence of Olaha is the clearest proof. Currently, the Nghe An team is still struggling to find a replacement.

Despite their best efforts, Song Lam Nghe An could not beat Topenland Binh Dinh at home. Photo courtesy: Chung Nguyen

Compared to Song Lam Nghe An, Hoang Anh Gia Lai and Hanoi have abundant forces. Their three lines all have quality reserve players. If they are not national players, they are young factors that have been called up to the U teams many times or foreign players. With the richness and diversity of people, Hanoi and Hoang Anh Gia Lai clubs can easily have their own calculations and the leading position on the rankings reflects the true strength of these two clubs.

With the current force, the seasonV.League 2022is the pivotal season for Song Lam Nghe An to shape their playing style and discover new elements to complete the squad. And the top 3 goal will be the most reasonable goal for the Nghe team at this time.