Song Lam Nghe An will play with dedication in the opening match of the Year of the Dragon.

On this occasion, Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Song Lam Nghe An Head Coach - Mr. Phan Nhu Thuat.

PV: Could you tell us, after a break of nearly 2 months, how has Song Lam Nghe An prepared for the matches in 2024?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:After the first 8 rounds of V.League 2023/24, Song Lam Nghe An currently has 9 points and is temporarily ranked 10th on the rankings. In the past matches, the team has played with determination and won 2, drawn 3 and lost 3 matches. However, in some matches we have lost points very regrettably. Therefore, after the V.League took a break for nearly 2 months, the Song Lam Nghe An coaching board sat down and found the limitations and shortcomings of the team, from which they built a training plan for the players. We carefully analyzed each individual's mistake and found a way to correct them. The coaching board hopes that the young players will soon mature, thereby helping Song Lam Nghe An compete more successfully.

PV: How did the separation of Trong Hoang affect Song Lam Nghe An? What did coach Phan Nhu Thuat do to overcome this?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:There is no need to argue about Trong Hoang's talent. Besides his professional ability, he is also one of the most experienced players in Vietnamese football today. At Song Lam Nghe An, Trong Hoang is considered a great spiritual support for his juniors. So when he left Song Lam Nghe An, the players were somewhat mentally disturbed. However, the coaching staff of Song Lam Nghe An understood this and shared with the whole team that when Trong Hoang left, it would create opportunities for other players to show themselves, they would have more time on the field, thereby maturing sooner. Therefore, after being relieved of their psychological stress, the whole team is working hard to practice and are determined for the upcoming matches.

PV:After parting with some players, Song Lam Nghe An currently has only 27 athletes left. Can you reveal the upcoming personnel addition plan for Song Lam Nghe An?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:After parting ways with Trong Hoang, Bui Dinh Chau and Ho Khac Luong had to take a long break due to injury, Song Lam Nghe An currently has only 27 players. According to the regulations of the 2023/24 National Football Championship, each team is allowed to register 30 players. Therefore, after round 11, when the teams participating in the V.League are replaced and supplemented with personnel, we will ask for permission from the club's leadership to promote 3 players from the youth team to the first team. My target is still the remaining players at U21 Song Lam Nghe An. In addition, I will also monitor to select some outstanding factors at the U19 Song Lam Nghe An team participating in the 2024 National U19 Tournament. Based on the current Song Lam Nghe An force, I will prioritize selecting players for the defense. Because currently after Trong Hoang left and Ho Khac Luong was injured, Song Lam Nghe An's defense is quite thin. Besides, I will also look for a prominent face with good attacking ability from U19 Song Lam Nghe An.

PV: Now that Dinh Xuan Tien has returned to the first team, what advantages does that bring to Song Lam Nghe An?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:After a period of discipline, Dinh Xuan Tien is currently showing many positive points in both daily life and training. He is trying very hard to regain his own image. Xuan Tien is a player with good skills, so when he returns, he will help Song Lam Nghe An's attack have more options to approach the opponent's goal. However, Tien needs to strive more to gain the trust of the team's coaching staff.

PV: Going into the first match of the new year 2024, what is Song Lam Nghe An's determination?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:In the past 8 rounds, Song Lam Nghe An has always shown great determination. Going into the opening match of the Giap Thin spring, the match held at Vinh Stadium, I ask the whole team to play confidently, play with dedication, fight with all their might, and try to bring back the best results for Nghe An fans.

PV: In this match, does Song Lam Nghe An have any disadvantages in terms of personnel?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:Welcoming Binh Dinh, Song Lam Nghe An will not have the service of foreign player Success, because this player has received 3 penalty cards. This will more or less affect the attacking style of Song Lam Nghe An. However, we also have a plan to compensate for this position. Besides, Tran Nam Hai is also injured, so he cannot play in round 9.

PV: What do you think about Song Lam Nghe An's opponent in the first match of the new year 2024?

Coach Phan Nhu Thuat:Binh Dinh is a strong team in V.League. This club has a disciplined playing style and is very effective in applying defensive counter-attack tactics. In addition, the team's force is quite even in expertise and rich in experience. In particular, the 2 foreign players on the attack line play quite well. After 8 rounds, Binh Dinh is showing very high performance. That will bring no small challenges to Song Lam Nghe An. However, we think that after nearly 2 months of V.League break, when returning, the team that has better rhythm will have many advantages. Song Lam Nghe An has prepared quite carefully, I believe the students will have high confidence, to compete effectively in the opening match of the Giap Thin Spring.

PV:Thank you for this conversation!