Song Lam Nghe An: Steadfast defense, hard work, good luck

The recent Four-Hero Cup Championship specifically demonstrated SLNA's strength with a 2-0 victory over visiting team Ho Chi Minh City in round 6 of V-League 1-2022. Up to now, through 3 home matches, SLNA has won 2-0 against HAGL and Ho Chi Minh City, but lost 1-2 to visiting team T.Binh Dinh.

Meanwhile, in the 2 away matches, SLNA also achieved positive results with a 1-0 victory over B. Binh Duong and a 1-1 draw against host Saigon FC. These things prove that SLNA is gradually making a strong comeback in the V-League and will be a difficult team to play against any opponent.

SLNA welcomes Ho Chi Minh City in round 6. Photo courtesy

After a break in round 5, SLNA welcomed Ho Chi Minh City in round 6 with many advantages when playing at home, with a more stable force compared to the opponent. While Ho Chi Minh City Club was missing three key players Samson, Dinh Khuong and Huy Toan, the home team was only missing foreign midfielder Ojong Mark.

Although he had promoted young players to the midfield, coach Huy Hoang did not risk sending them onto the field immediately, but instead pulled full-back Xuan Manh, who had abundant physical strength and experience, up to play as a holding midfielder in conjunction with Xuan Tien (right) and Van Duc (left) as usual.

The attack line was assigned to two foreign strikers Olaha and Osenni. The attacking formation of 3-5-2, while the defense will be 5-4-1 as coach Huy Hoang organized and operated from the beginning of the tournament, continued to be deployed against this difficult but not to be underestimated opponent.

For the first time, young player Dinh Xuan Tien officially played in the V.League. In this match, the 19-year-old midfielder was completely confident with his moves, helping SLNA dominate the game against the opponent. Photo: Duc Anh

The above mentioned unignorable performance of the away team was shown many times in the match, making the Vinh stadium fans unable to sit still many times. A situation of passing and passing on the wing made it impossible for both Ba Sang and Dinh Hoang to catch up and forced the excellent creator of the first goal, Dinh Hoang, to commit a serious foul, receiving a red card and leaving the field near the end of the first half.

It cannot be said that SLNA's midfield and defense played tightly when they let the opponent pass through and shoot freely, causing Van Hoang to be confused and only luck saved the home team from a goal from Lam Ty Phong's close-range shot that went over the bar.

Playing with one less player, of course SLNA encountered countless difficulties and was lucky at least twice more when the opponent's shot hit the crossbar and had Ngoc Hai's cover.

But once again, in the face of difficulties, SLNA showed their determination and solidarity to achieve victory. Playing with one less player, SLNA not only kept the home team's net safe but also counterattacked extremely well to raise the score to 2-0 from the wall pass between Van Duc and Osenni for Van Duc to create a classy assist, setting up Sy Hoang to run up and finish neatly. If Van Duc had done better, he could have put his name on the scoreboard in an exemplary counterattack afterwards.

It can be seen that currently, with the return of Van Khanh from injury, Coach Huy Hoang can rest assured with the trio of central defenders Ngoc Hai - left, Van Khanh - center and Ba Sang - right. But when Dinh Hoang received a direct red card, SLNA played in a 4-4-1 formation, pulling Sy Hoang down to the left wing with Ngoc Hai-Van Khanh in the middle, Ba Sang on the right wing, Olaha accepted to retreat to the right wing midfielder.

When U19 player Xuan Tien did not go to Indonesia to play in the regional tournament but was a starter in the V-League, it showed that SLNA had its own calculations not only for the current team but also for the long-term future of the young players. Van Lam did not enter the field, Van Viet was only added in the final minutes and especially, Sy Hoang scored the goal to increase the score... also proved that SLNA's coaching staff has its own perspective on the young talents they have trained and coached.

Meanwhile, national players Ngoc Hai, Van Duc, Van Hoang, and candidate Xuan Manh are still irreplaceable pillars to help the team defend firmly and counterattack well in recent matches. After the match, senior Huy Hoang praised Van Khanh and Xuan Manh for their results in the above match.

Olaha scored his first goal in V-League 1-2022, confirming that this striker is really returning as expected, as the usual image of this very reliable foreign player on Vinh field. Besides, Osenni also showed good coordination with SLNA's attacking players and was the trigger, the decisiveness in situations that opened up scoring opportunities...

To see, SLNA is gradually stabilizing, catching up with the V-League and coach Huy Hoang is proving his "prestige" in his first official season leading the team.

Of course, the upcoming matches will be more challenging for both teachers and students. These are important tests, there is no room for mistakes like the situations where the opponent overcame the goalkeeper in the match in round 6...