For 8 years, Song Lam Nghe An has never won on Thanh Hoa field.

After a season so bad that they had to play the play-off match, Thanh Hoa Club of "boss" De is actively preparing for V.League 2020. A series of talented players have been added to the shopping list, notably naturalized strikers Hoang Vu Samson, Josip Balic, Djicka Gassissou or Louis Ewonde...

However, before meeting SLNA, Thanh Hoa Club had only scored 1 goal but conceded 4 goals, ranking 13th on the V.League rankings. That forced Thanh Hoa to terminate the contract with Italian coach Fabio Lopez and invite coach Nguyen Thanh Cong to lead the team. The presence of coach Nguyen Thanh Cong will certainly bring a new breeze to Mr. De's team, because in terms of strength, Thanh Hoa is not a weak team.

In the most recent history of confrontation, Thanh Hoa and SLNA have met a total of 26 times. Of which, Thanh Hoa has a better record with 12 wins, 11 losses and 3 draws. The Thanh team's home record against SLNA is very good, 8 wins, 4 losses and 2 draws. Over the past 8 years in the V.League, Thanh Hoa has continuously scored points against their neighboring team at home.

Away from home, Thanh Hoa has gone from drawing to winning over the past 8 years. Graphics: TK

Specifically, the last time SLNA won at Thanh Hoa Stadium was V.League 2011 when SLNA won the championship. In 2012 and 2013 under coach Huu Thang, SLNA lost with a score of 0-2 or 1-2. The result in 2014 was a 0-0 draw. In 2015 when coach Quang Truong led SLNA, the Nghe An team lost 1-2 and drew 2-2 in a controversial match in V.League 2016.

In 2017, when coach Duc Thang led the Nghe An team, SLNA lost 0-2 at Thanh Hoa Stadium. A year later, Phan Van Duc and his teammates once again returned empty-handed after losing 0-1. Most recently in V.League 2019, coach Duc Thang and his team lost 0-2 quickly. The only times SLNA won at Thanh Hoa Stadium were in the National Cup matches. Obviously, this is a statistic that will make Thanh Hoa more confident.

Visiting Thanh Hoa, SLNA continued to be without the services of central defender Hoang Van Khanh and midfielder Cao Xuan Thang. Although they have not conceded any goals in V.League 2020, facing an attack line with 3 foreign players, not to mention 1 foreign defender like Thanh Hoa, this is a very difficult task for young central defender Thai Ba Sang and his teammates.

Thanh Hoa Club has the advantage of foreign players. Photo: Manh Cuong

Coach Quang Truong's team attacked a lot, created many opportunities but still showed a lack of luck in finishing. This has been proven in the last 3 matches, Tuan Tai has not had the best feeling and the burden of scoring continues to be placed on Phan Van Duc's shoulders. In the last 3 matches, SLNA has scored 2 goals but both came from set pieces in minutes 45-75.

If they do not win against Thanh Hoa, SLNA will lose their excitement at the most important moment. Because right after this match, SLNA will visit Hanoi FC - the defending champion, host Ho Chi Minh City team at Vinh Stadium before continuing to visit Nam Dinh at Thien Truong Stadium.

Up to now, the confrontations between SLNA and Thanh Hoa have always been hot and fierce. The upcoming match in round 4 of V.League 2020 will be even more attractive when Thanh Hoa coach Nguyen Thanh Cong is a person who grew up from the Nghe An team. Everyone wants to affirm that football has no place for personal feelings.

The match between Thanh Hoa Club and Song Lam Nghe An Club takes place at 5:00 p.m. on June 12 at Thanh Hoa Stadium.

V.League 2020 Round 4 Match Schedule. Photo: VPF

Song Lam Nghe An gives opportunity to U19 Vietnam captain

(Baonghean.vn) - In the situation where captain Hoang Van Khanh is injured and has to rest for a month, SLNA's coaching staff is testing the pair of defender Gustavo Santos and young player Thai Ba Sang - former captain of the Vietnam U18 and U19 national teams.