Song Lam Nghe An and the opportunity before Ho Chi Minh City Police

Set road much point weak

After the first 4 rounds of V.League 2025/26, Song Lam Nghe An only won 4 points with 1 win, 1 draw and 2 losses. Those numbers are not enough to reassure fans, especially when the team's playing style is more disappointing than expected.

The surprising 2-1 victory over defending champions Nam Dinh Steel Blue was likened to an “earthquake” but it appeared largely thanks to the resonance of luck, the brilliance of a few individuals and an unusual decline of the opponent. Overall, Song Lam Nghe An’s playing style was too easy to predict with monotonous coordination, lack of creativity and almost no clear philosophy.

Rival coaches such as Chu Dinh Nghiem (Hai Phong) or Nguyen Cong Manh (Hong Linh Ha Tinh) all share the same opinion that if they separate Khac Ngoc and Olaha, Song Lam Nghe An will immediately be stuck. This shows that the tactical system that coach Phan Nhu Thuat has built is still too dependent on a few links. Even when they have the advantage of leading the table or playing with more players, Song Lam Nghe An chooses to defend and then falls into a deadlock in counter-attacks.

More worryingly, after 4 matches, Song Lam Nghe An's defense has not kept a clean sheet even though the opponents are mostly mid-level teams. Warnings of an unstable season are present and if there is no change, coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team may fall into the relegation spiral like last season.

Muscle festivalfor Song Lam Nghe An

Looking at the force, Song Lam Nghe An is not weak. Foreign players Olaha has affirmed their brand, Garcia is experienced and confident, Enrique is skillful, and Moore Reon Dale has a breakthrough. The domestic system also has many faces that have matured through many V.League seasons such as Van Huy, Ba Quyen, Quang Vinh, Van Cuong, Nam Hai... That is the foundation that many mid-range clubs dream of.

The problem is that Song Lam Nghe An do not know how to fully exploit the potential of this squad of players. They need a more cohesive and energetic playing style instead of the current weakness. The match against Ho Chi Minh City Police in round 5 therefore becomes a key "test".

Ho Chi Minh City Police under the leadership of Coach Le Huynh Duc are playing extremely disciplined and effective, thanks to the addition of quality faces such as center back Matheus Felipe, striker Raphael Schorr Utzig or national player Nguyen Tien Linh. Currently, this team is ranked 3rd on the rankings with stable performance. Obviously, this is a formidable opponent, but not impossible to exploit.

Song Lam Nghe An has the home field advantage and above all, they have the motivation from the heavy pressure. In the last 5 confrontations with Ho Chi Minh City Police (the predecessor of Ho Chi Minh City Club), Song Lam Nghe An has been undefeated. That number can become a spiritual support. But more importantly, Coach Phan Nhu Thuat needs to boldly create sudden changes from tactics to fighting spirit, instead of continuing to maintain a sleepy playing style.

“Getting points” against Ho Chi Minh City Police is not just a requirement for achievements, but also an affirmation of Song Lam Nghe An’s true ability. If they continue to fail, the patience of Nghe An audiences will gradually diminish and pressure from public opinion may cause the “glass” that is already full to overflow.

In modern football, spirit must go hand in hand with tactics and determination. If Song Lam Nghe An lacks systematic changes, they will forever be stuck in the relegation circle. The match against Ho Chi Minh City Police is therefore the last chance for Song Lam Nghe An to prove that they are still strong enough to compete in the V.League.