Song Lam Nghe An and the comebacks worth waiting for

1. Michael Olaha

Michael Olaha (No. 7). Photo courtesy of Duc Anh

After more than a season of fighting in Israel for Hapoel Tel-Aviv, the striker born in 1997 decided to return to Vietnam to reunite with SLNA. What he has done for the Nghe An team in the past (2017 - 2019) is enough to prove the talent of the Nigerian striker.

It can be affirmed that the presence of Michael Olaha in the remaining matches of SLNA in V.League 2021 will help Nghe An football fans feel more secure with the team's goal of staying in the league. Hopefully, in his second time wearing the SLNA shirt, the 24-year-old player will continue to play excellently.

2. Hoang Van Khanh

Hoang Van Khanh. Photo: Duc Anh

Without needing to analyze carefully, everyone understands the talent and importance of the Tan Ky player to the Vinh team. Besides his excellence in the role of a central defender (former U19 and U22 Vietnam player), Hoang Van Khanh is also a leader, a "locomotive" with the captain's armband on his arm.

The return of the player born in 1995 to the SLNA coaching staff is no different from a quality contract. Because during the first phase of V.League 2021, Hoang Van Khanh missed many matches due to injury (2 matches) and penalty cards (2 matches). This is part of the reason why SLNA has a poor performance, with the bottom position in the table.

3. Nguyen Sy Nam

Nguyen Sy Nam (red shirt). Photo: VPF

Although he is only a backup option for his junior Pham Xuan Manh in the right-back position, Nguyen Sy Nam's return after a period of injury will help SLNA's coaching staff have more advantages in terms of personnel. In case Manh "Kalou" is suspended (has received 5 yellow cards), the player from Anh Son will be the most likely replacement.

It is known that at the end of this season, the contract between SLNA and Nguyen Sy Nam will officially expire. Surely, more than ever, the right-back born in 1993 is eager to play. On one hand, it is to "score points" with the new Board of Directors of SLNA, on the other hand, it is to "PR himself" with the teams in the V.League.

4. Dang Van Lam

Dang Van Lam (No. 12). Photo: Duc Anh

It is not an exaggeration to say that the central midfielder position is one of the weakest links in the SLNA "machine" this season, up to the present time. A series of experimental plans have been used by the SLNA coaching staff during the time Dang Van Lam was injured, but none of them brought about the expected results.

Therefore, the Nghe An team's playing style lacks cohesion, rhythm and efficiency due to the absence of a "midfield boss". Therefore, the fact that the Do Luong player has ensured 100% fitness will help coach Nguyen Huy Hoang and his colleagues feel more secure with the central midfielder position of the team, something that Ho Sy Sam, Nguyen Van Duc... have not yet completed well the assigned tasks.

5. Ho Phuc Tinh

Ho Phuc Tinh. Photo courtesy

It was thought that Ho Tuan Tai's departure from Vinh Stadium would create more opportunities for Ho Phuc Tinh to prove his inherent ability. Unfortunately, since the beginning of the season, the striker from Quynh Luu has rarely been used by the SLNA coaching staff. According to statistics, after 12 matches of SLNA in the first phase of V.League 2021, Ho Phuc Tinh has only had a total of 8 minutes on the field.

The reason why the striker born in 1994 did not play much was because he could not compete for a position with foreign players. In addition, various injuries also deprived the striker who won a double title at the 2014 National U21 Finals (Top Scorer and Best Player of the tournament). Let's wait and see, will Ho Phuc Tinh meet expectations?