Song Lam Nghe An and the missing pieces

Trung Kien• DNUM_AGZAGZCABI 11:20

(Baonghean.vn) - With injuries rampant and foreign players not meeting requirements, the immediate thing SLNA needs to do in V.League 2018 is to add both domestic and foreign players in the second leg.

Besides Nguyen Manh’s long-term injury, SLNA is really having problems in both midfield and attack. During the time midfielder Vo Ngoc Toan was injured, the Nghe team was forced to use Ho Sy Sam, the second option of the Nghe team, in the blocking role. This midfielder started 7 out of 10 appearances, but Sy Sam’s mark was not really clear.

In the 10 times Sy Sam played, SLNA only won 1 match, drew 4 and lost 5. Vo Ngoc Toan recovered and returned from injury but still has not regained his original form, his physical strength is not guaranteed. Therefore, finding someone to play with and support Khac Ngoc is really a difficult problem for SLNA's coaching staff.

In the current context, SLNA is in need of players with experience in the field and leadership ability, Hoang Van Binh is the brightest face that SLNA's coaching board needs to aim for. The former midfielder who just left FLC Thanh Hoa is a versatile attacking and defensive midfielder. He will be an ideal piece for his hometown team in the second leg.

Van Binh not only has good tactical thinking and plays football skillfully, but also has the ability to score goals. In the 2016 and 2017 seasons, the midfielder born in 1989 had a series of assists and 6 goals for the Thanh team, playing a leading role in the game.

Tiền vệ Hoàng Văn Bình sẽ giúp SLNA cải thiện tuyến giữa. Ảnh: TT&VH

Midfielder Hoang Van Binh will help SLNA improve the midfield. Photo: TT&VH

After parting ways with Tran Phi Son, SLNA is having a real problem finding someone to fill the void left by the midfielder from Ha Tinh. Players Ngo Xuan Toan, Cao Xuan Thang and Le The Cuong have only played their roles well. At this time, when Phan Van Duc is injured, the Nghe An team seems to have lost the wings that brought them the 2017 National Cup championship.

According to some veteran fans who are familiar with SLNA, midfielder Pham Xuan Manh having to play in a position that is not his forte (fullback) is a huge waste. In case Manh Hung regains his form, the U23 Vietnam player needs to play in a more offensive way.

Foreign player Osmar Francisco did not meet the requirements, but when the first leg was almost over, the Nghe An team still had not welcomed a new foreign player for trial. If they did not boldly recruit a quality foreign striker, SLNA would certainly continue to be immersed in difficulties, struggling in the bottom group of the rankings.

In round 12 of V.League, SLNA will meet Saigon at Thong Nhat Stadium in the context of Van Duc and Xuan Thang being absent due to injury. However, this will be the match where the away team will have the return of captain Que Ngoc Hai. If they win the remaining 2 matches of the first leg, SLNA will have 14 points, equal to their achievement in the 2017 V.League season.