Song Lam Nghe An and the mission to 'break the 8-year curse' of Hang Day in V.League
(Baonghean.vn) - Visiting Hang Day to face the reigning V.League champion Hanoi, the Nghe An team is the only team to keep a clean sheet after 4 rounds. However, looking at the away record, this is an opponent that often makes Coach Ngo Quang Truong's students return empty-handed.
According to the V.League 2020 rankings, SLNA has 8 points after 2 wins and 2 draws. Sharing the first 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, which means a draw. The chasing teams include B. Binh Duong, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, HAGL (7 points).
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| 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 continues to not have 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 with 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 factors on the bench, ready to shine at any time when given the opportunity such as Tran Dinh Tien, 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.
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| 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 exerting himself 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, needing 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. Romario has scored 2 goals, Pape Omar, Van Quyet, Van Dai, Hung Dung have all scored.
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| 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 champions of V.League won 6, drew 5 and lost 2. In the V.League arena alone, the last time the Nghe An team won was in V.League 2012 with a 6-2 victory. This story has become a thing of the past, because from V.League 2013 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 clearly Hanoi is not an "invincible" opponent.
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| 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 staff will make some adjustments to refresh the attack and strengthen the central midfield. Instead, striker Ho Tuan Tai can completely 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 was pale, Song Lam Nghe An and Thanh Hoa were evenly matched.
(Baonghean.vn) - Host Thanh Hoa and SLNA took the initiative to attack from the first minutes of the match. However, the defense system of both teams played very solidly. With 1 point, SLNA maintained the 3rd position on the rankings.
