Song Lam Nghe An and the disappointment of losing points away from home.

Song Lam Nghe An is among the top 3 teams with the most draws in the league, with 9 draws – level with Dong A Thanh Hoa and only behind Hong Linh Ha Tinh (13 draws). Notably, the team from Nghe An has only managed 3 wins after 18 rounds – a figure that leaves fans feeling disappointed.

In terms of losses, Song Lam Nghe An has fewer defeats than some of the teams above them in the standings such as Binh Duong, Hai Phong, and Quang Nam (all with 7 losses). However, having only secured 3 wins shows that the team has not been able to convert opportunities into maximum points.

If we consider only their home record, Song Lam Nghe An's performance hasn't been too bad. The team only lost two matches at Vinh Stadium against Thanh Hoa and Viettel. In their last six matches (including the National Cup), they have won five and drawn one (against Hanoi Police).

However, the most regrettable aspect is that in many matches, Song Lam Nghe An took an early lead but ultimately ended up drawing, especially away from home. These draws felt like "psychological defeats," as the team narrowly missed out on victory.

One notable example is the 2-2 draw at Quy Nhon Stadium against Binh Dinh in Round 5. Despite leading 2-0 until the 80th minute thanks to goals from Quang Vinh and Olaha, the Nghe An team still conceded equalizing goals – including a penalty goal.

In round 8, although Olaha scored an early goal to give Song Lam Nghe An the lead against Quang Nam, the team conceded a goal in the 74th minute, leaving the field with only 1 point.

Similarly, in the match against Hanoi Police, Zaracho opened the scoring but conceded an equalizer in the first half, and even had to play with ten men in the second half.

In round 17, Olaha scored from the penalty spot to give his team the lead against Ho Chi Minh City FC, but the team conceded an equalizer in the 69th minute, once again letting the victory slip away.

Most recently, in round 18, Song Lam Nghe An played away.at Dong A Thanh Hoa StadiumKhắc Ngọc scored early in the 2nd minute, but the team was unable to maintain their advantage, conceding an equalizer in the 63rd minute.

In total, in 9 away matches this season, Song Lam Nghe An lost 4 and drew 5 - including 5 matches where the team scored first but couldn't win. This is a very disappointing result compared to the effort and promising style of play that the players have shown.

These results show that mental fortitude and battlefield experience remain major weaknesses for the young Song Lam Nghe An players. They easily lose focus when trailing, and even when in the lead, they lack the composure to maintain the score. This is a problem that can only be solved through practical competition, thereby helping the players accumulate experience and hone their battlefield skills.

Furthermore, tactical preparation and the coaching staff's ability to "read" the game are also crucial. Flexible response scenarios will help players feel more confident in unfavorable situations or when they have the advantage, preventing them from letting victory slip away.

As a goalkeeper, Van Viet also needs to improve his ability to command the defense – a crucial element for maintaining stability in critical moments at the end of a match.

However, viewed positively, the young players of Song Lam Nghe An are making remarkable progress. Under the guidance of senior players like Dinh Hoang, Van Khanh, and Khac Ngoc, and with the opportunity to play regularly, they are gradually maturing.

The valuable experiences gained from these intense matches will serve as a foundation to help them become stronger for the remainder of the season - and beyond, in future seasons.