The Lam River in Nghe An and the 'gains and losses' in the Year of the Dragon.
It can be said that the year of the Dragon - 2024 - was a difficult and turbulent period for the Nghe An team, from their squad to their on-field performance.
1.Lam River, Nghe AnSong Lam Nghe An started the new year with a 2-0 victory against Quy Nhon Binh Dinh in Round 9 of the V.League 2023/2024, which took place on February 18, 2024 (the 9th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Dragon). Unfortunately, their subsequent journey was fraught with difficulties, with a series of poor results in both the V.League and the National Cup.
Disappointing results had kept the Vinh-based team consistently in the relegation zone of the V.League 2023/2024. With a 2-0 victory against The Cong - Viettel in round 26, the Nghe An team officially secured their survival in the league, simultaneously handing the play-off spot to their "neighbor" Hong Linh Ha Tinh. A very fortunate escape.
In the National Cup competition, Song Lam Nghe An also had to exit the race early with a 0-1 defeat against SHB Da Nang right on their home ground in Vinh in the round of 16. It's worth remembering that in the 2023/2024 season, the team from the Han River is still competing in the National First Division. This clearly shows that Song Lam Nghe An's domestic players are still very inexperienced.
2. Entering the 2024/2025 season, Song Lam Nghe An's squad underwent significant changes. Mario Zebic, Raphael Success, Tran Van Tien, Mai Sy Hoang, Dang Van Lam, and Nguyen Van Viet all left Vinh Stadium. Conversely, the Nghe An team also secured the services of Sebastian Zaracho, Benjamin Kuku, and the return of Ho Van Cuong.
Objectively speaking, compared to the previous season, Song Lam Nghe An's strength has not improved. Evidence of this is the extremely disappointing results Michael Olaha and his teammates have experienced. Specifically, it wasn't until the 11th round that the team from Nghe An secured their first victory, defeating Becamex Binh Duong 1-0.
Although Tran Manh Quynh was the goalscorer, the aforementioned victory was also significantly contributed to by the duo Hoang Van Khanh and Ho Khac Ngoc. Their return to Vinh Stadium has initially helped improve Song Lam Nghe An's playing style. Certainly, coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team have finally shed the pressure they have been under for some time.
Furthermore, in the National Cup, Song Lam Nghe An impressively defeated SHB Da Nang in the round of 16 with a score of 1-0. Their next opponent in the quarter-finals is Dong Thap, a representative from the National First Division. Clearly, the opportunity to reach the semi-finals is wide open for coach Phan Nhu Thuat's team.
Thus, Song Lam Nghe An's journey in the Year of the Dragon has come to an end, marked by both ups and downs. Hopefully, coach Phan Nhu Thuat and his team will perform excellently and achieve success in the Year of the Snake.
