Song Lam Nghe An and the mission to 'break the 8-year curse' of Hang Day in V.League

According to the V.League 2020 rankings, SLNA has 8 points after 2 wins and 2 draws. Sharing the top positions with the Nghe An team are Saigon FC and Viettel FC, both with 8 points. However, right behind the top 3 teams is only 1 point, meaning a draw. The chasing teams include B. Binh Duong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, HAGL (7 points).

Last season, SLNA lost 0-4 at Hang Day. Photo: VPF

As for SLNA and Hanoi in the upcoming match in round 5, the positions will be shaken up when one of the two teams wins. Even if SLNA draws with their opponents, the chance to maintain the 3rd position on the rankings is very slim.

In terms of force, SLNA continued to be without the service of captain Van Khanh in this match. However, the chosen name, Thai Ba Sang, is also showing his solidity when combining with Gustavo by keeping 2 clean sheets against SHB Da Nang and Thanh Hoa. Midfielder Cao Xuan Thang is injured for a long time, but in return, coach Quang Truong has young players on the bench, ready to shine at any time when given the opportunity, such as Tran Dinh Tien and Tran Ngoc Anh.

In V.League 2019, SLNA came to Hang Day Stadium without the services of Xuan Manh and Van Duc. This time, fortunately for the away team, Phan Van Duc is in good form with 2 goals. A strong and important return, helping SLNA's coaching staff have more options for the attack.

Hanoi's strong attack will test SLNA's solid defense. Photo: Trung Kien

On the Hanoi FC side, in addition to the names with long-term injuries such as Duy Manh and Dinh Trong, the capital team also does not have the service of key midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai. Hanoi's attacking star suffered a thigh injury due to exertion in the match against Hong Linh Ha Tinh in round 4 of V.League 2020.

Not only that, Hanoi FC will also not have the service of Moses Oloya. Moses has intercostal muscle pain and needs at least 2 weeks to recover. Accordingly, Hanoi FC still has very notable faces in the attack line such as Hung Dung, Van Quyet, Thanh Luong, Pape Omar, Romario.

In fact, although the defense is in trouble with 6 goals conceded, the Hanoi FC attack is showing great form with 9 goals. Of which, Romario has scored 2 goals, Pape Omar, Van Quyet, Van Dai, Hung Dung have all spoken up.

Phan Van Duc is the biggest hope on SLNA's side. Photo: Trung Kien

The upcoming match at Hang Day Stadium will certainly be an interesting confrontation between the team with the best defense in V.League 2019 and at the moment of V.League 2019 with the strongest attack, Hanoi Club. Although in recent years, with strong potential, Hanoi has always been considered the upper hand, but when the two teams meet, it is always expected as a fateful match.

Historically, the two teams have met a total of 24 times, with Hanoi FC winning 10, drawing 10 and losing 4. At Hang Day Stadium, the defending V.League champions won 6, drew 5 and lost 2. In the V.League arena alone, the last time the Nghe An team won was in the 2012 V.League with a 6-2 victory. This story has become a thing of the past, because from the 2013 V.League until now, SLNA has only drawn and lost to Hanoi FC away from home.

Looking at that achievement of Hanoi FC, many SLNA fans cannot be optimistic. However, in football, anything can happen. Especially in the context that Hanoi FC still has some misunderstandings in defense, now without Moses and Quang Hai. In the previous round, rookie Hong Linh Ha Tinh got 1 point against Hanoi, Quang Ninh also got 3 points with a 3-1 victory, so it is clear that Hanoi is not an "invincible" opponent.

Thousands of SLNA fans in Hanoi are always ready to cheer on coach Quang Truong and his team at Hang Day Stadium. Photo: Trung Kien

It is very likely that in this match, SLNA's coaching board will make some adjustments to refresh the attack and strengthen the central midfield. Instead, striker Ho Tuan Tai can play higher, closer to the opponent's goal. The central midfield, to compete with Van Quyet, Hung Dung, Duc Huy, the Nghe team will definitely have to strengthen because Van Lam - Dinh Chau cannot compare with the national team stars on the other side of the battle line.

The match between SLNA and Hanoi will take place at 7:00 p.m. on June 18 at Hang Day Stadium. In the remaining matches of round 5, Saigon FC will play away against HAGL in Pleiku, while Ho Chi Minh City FC will return home to welcome Viettel FC.

Phan Van Duc is pale, Song Lam Nghe An and Thanh Hoa are evenly matched.

(Baonghean.vn) - Host Thanh Hoa and SLNA took the initiative to attack from the first minutes of the match. However, the defense systems of both teams played very solidly. With 1 point, SLNA maintained the 3rd position on the rankings.