Song Lam Nghe An and things to do before V.League 2023 returns

Maintain physical condition

Fitness is one of the extremely important factors in the competition process of the whole season, especially with a tournament that is constantly interrupted like V.League 2023. The tournament's suspension for 1 month makes the coaches have to carefully calculate and prepare a foundation of the best and most suitable physical strength for the players.

Song Lam Nghe An used to be known as a team with a strong and physical playing style. However, in the past 7 matches in the V.League, there were a few matches where the Nghe team's physical strength showed signs of exhaustion at the end of the match. One of the regrettable 2-2 draw at Khanh Hoa Stadium.

Despite taking a break from competing for the SEA Games, SLNA has gathered early to maintain the best physical condition. Photo: Chung Le

In addition, Song Lam Nghe An needs to promote a physical playing style like in the previous matches against Becamex Binh Duong, Nam Dinh and most recently Hoang Anh Gia Lai. Those are matches where Song Lam Nghe An had a high ball possession rate, fast intensity and continuous attack speed.

Among the 14 clubs in V.League, most teams likeLam River Nghe An, Dong A Thanh Hoa, Viettel, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Binh Dinh, Khanh Hoa, Hanoi Police, Da Nang, Nam Dinh are the teams that have gathered early to start training. That shows that maintaining the sports and physical condition of the players is very important before the tournament returns.

Limit defensive errors

With 7 goals conceded after 7 matches, it is not a bad statistic for Song Lam Nghe An. However, most of those 7 goals conceded came from extremely regrettable individual errors. First was the mistake of goalkeeper Tran Van Tien in the loss against SHB Da Nang when the opponent put pressure and pressed high.

In the 2-2 draw with Khanh Hoa away, Song Lam Nghe An's defense system also lacked concentration in the final minutes. The goal conceded in the Nam Dinh match, a momentary loss of concentration and a careless pass back by Thai Ba Sang that caused the home team to leave Thien Truong empty-handed, and recently the penalty in the Hoang Anh Gia Lai match are situations that Song Lam Nghe An need to review and learn from.

SLNA's defense still has some regrettable mistakes. Photo: Chung Le

Song Lam Nghe An's defense has generally played quite well, however during the 1-month break for the SEA Games, Song Lam Nghe An's coaching staff will certainly make adjustments so that the players can minimize mistakes and have the ability to cover and support each other better at decisive moments.

Finishing ability

Statistics show that Song Lam Nghe An has been able to control the game relatively well in the past 7 matches. However, the ability to finish is something that Song Lam Nghe An's attack needs to be more careful about. The statistic of 8 goals/7 matches is a relatively modest statistic.

Of the 8 goals that Song Lam Nghe An have scored this season, foreign players have accounted for 6 goals thanks to Michael Olaha and Jordy Soladio. Although the two young midfielders Dinh Xuan Tien and Tran Nam Hai have scored their own goals, players like Xuan Manh, Dinh Tien, and Trong Hoang have yet to score their own goals. These are the attacking midfielders who are capable of taking long-range shots to effectively finish off attacks.

By improving their finishing ability, SLNA will have more victories. Photo: Chung Le

In particular, because he has just returned from injury, Dinh Tien is still not in the best condition. However, in the remaining stage, it is very likely that this will be the name that Coach Huy Hoang has high expectations for with his ability to create breakthroughs and finish outside the penalty area.

Excitement

To be fair, in the past 7 matches, Song Lam Nghe An has been a bit unlucky. The only win in V.League 2023 and also the most recent win of Song Lam Nghe An was against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. This victory is extremely important for coach Huy Hoang and his team. Unfortunately, this excitement may be affected by the 1-month break.

Therefore, one of the problems for the coaching staff of Song Lam Nghe An is to maintain a good mentality and excitement when in the next match, Song Lam Nghe An continues to play at home against Hong Linh Ha Tinh. In a team with half of the players being young like Song Lam Nghe An, with the lowest average age in V.League, the mentality of the match is extremely important.

To solve this problem, Song Lam Nghe An will most likely have some friendly matches against neighboring teams Ha Tinh and Thanh Hoa. This is also a way for coach Huy Hoang to help his players get a good feel for the ball.

The support of home fans in the remaining journey will be a great strength for SLNA to overcome difficulties. Photo: Chung Le

According to calculations, to be sure of a place in the top 8 teams at the end of the first leg, Song Lam Nghe An needs to have at least 18 points. With the current 8 points, Song Lam Nghe An must have 10 more points in the remaining 6 matches. Among these 6 opponents, there are 3 home matches against Hong Linh Ha Tinh, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh and 3 difficult away matches against Cong An Ha Noi, Viettel and Ha Noi FC.

Therefore, in the remaining journey, Song Lam Nghe An must take advantage of the opportunity when playing at Vinh Stadium. Otherwise, the 3 away matches against the representatives of the Capital will certainly be extremely stressful and difficult matches./.